Numerous companies have taken a stand against President Trump’s executive actions regarding immigration this week. Apple’s Tim Cook, Tesla inventor Elon Musk, and many others criticized the decision and attempted to offer solutions to their affected employees. Meanwhile, where tech meets transport, both Uber and Lyft have been thrust in the middle of the conversation — both for drastically different reasons.
Lyft responded to Trump’s executive orders by pledging to donate $1 million to the ACLU, citing the company’s desire to represent a world that is “diverse, inclusive and safe”:
This weekend, Trump closed the country’s borders to refugees, immigrants, and even documented residents from around the world based on their country of origin. Banning people of a particular faith or creed, race or identity, sexuality or ethnicity, from entering the U.S. is antithetical to both Lyft’s and our nation’s core values. We stand firmly against these actions, and will not be silent on issues that threaten the values of our community.
We know this directly impacts many of our community members, their families and friends. We stand with you, and are donating $1,000,000 over the next four years to the ACLU to defend our constitution. We ask that you continue to be there for each other – and together, continue proving the power of community.
.@lyft says it will donate $1,000,000 to the ACLU "to defend our constitution" from Trump's Exec. Order. pic.twitter.com/CxafOh2Zv4
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) January 29, 2017
Lyft’s decision comes on the heels of a controversy surrounding their competitor Uber and that company’s connection to the Trump administration. Saturday saw a #DeleteUber campaign gain momentum on social media in response to the company’s decision to suspend surge pricing at JFK airport and undercut a New York Taxi strike, in solidarity with those affected by Trump’s executive order.
NO PICKUPS @ JFK Airport 6 PM to 7 PM today. Drivers stand in solidarity with thousands protesting inhumane & unconstitutional #MuslimBan.
— NY Taxi Workers (@NYTWA) January 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/Uber_NYC/status/825502908926066688
Many deleted the Uber app from their phones while others took it step further to delete their accounts entirely, taking a screenshot of the process in protest of Uber’s decision.
Uber picked the wrong city in which to be racist scabs #deleteuber pic.twitter.com/nWKZ9NZka0
— Katie (@katebergie) January 29, 2017
The #DeleteUber tag also acts as a response to the decision of CEO Travis Kalanick to work with the Trump administration. The company already faced protests on Inauguration Day with people holding a sign saying “Uber collaborates with Trump” and Kalanick attempted to explain his stance to employees according to CNN:
“We’ll partner with anyone in the world as long they’re about making transportation in cities better, creating job opportunities, making it easier to get around, getting pollution out of the air and traffic off the streets,” Kalanick told employees.
“It’s about the leaders we have to work with around the world, not just here in the United States but everywhere,” he added. “And being optimistic — asking can we make urban mobility better?”
Uber also released a statement Saturday in response to the immigration ban, promising to compensate employees held outside the country for the next three months. This was overshadowed, of course, by the surge pricing decision at JFK shortly after.