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Protests spread over Trump travel ban on Muslim majority countries – live Protests spread over Trump travel ban on Muslim majority countries – live
(35 minutes later)
11.56pm GMT
23:56
The day so far
Thousands of people have turned up at rallies across the country to protest Donald Trump’s travel executive order. Huge crowds, including Chelsea Clinton, protested in Battery Park in New York City. Thousands turned out at Boston’s Copley Square. In DC, protesters chanted “shame” outside the White House. Hundreds are still protesting at LAX Airport in Los Angeles.
Protests have also taken place in dozens of smaller cities and towns, including Rochester, NY, at Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport, Dulles Airport in Virginia, Albuquerque, NM and Pittsburgh, PA.
High-profile Republicans, including Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, have criticized the executive order, calling for it to be immediately changed.
Donald Trump called the pair “sadly weak on immigration” on Twitter after their public criticisms. Trump also released a statement declaring that his order is “not a Muslim ban” and “not about religion”, although all seven countries on the banned list are Muslim-majority.
Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said that green-card holders will be allowed entry into the country.
People stranded by the ban have told stories of families and relationships being kept apart (often after years of waiting for visas to be approved) and job and school opportunities missed. Iranians stranded by US ban tell of jobs at risk and families in disarray.
11.36pm GMT
23:36
Homeland Secretary says ban doesn't apply to green-card holders
US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly announced that green-card holders from the seven Muslim-majority countries affected by Trump’s executive order travel ban will be allowed to enter the country.
He said in a statement:
In applying the provisions of the president’s executive order, I hereby deem the entry of lawful permanent residents to be in the national interest.
Accordingly, absent the receipt of significant derogatory information indicating a serious threat to public safety and welfare, lawful permanent resident status will be a dispositive factor in our case-by-case determinations.
11.23pm GMT11.23pm GMT
23:2323:23
This in from Associated Press, Canada will offer temporary residency permits to any trapped travelers:This in from Associated Press, Canada will offer temporary residency permits to any trapped travelers:
Canada’s immigration minister says the country will offer temporary residency permits to travelers who become stranded here by President Donald Trump’s order banning travelers from seven Muslim-majority nations.Canada’s immigration minister says the country will offer temporary residency permits to travelers who become stranded here by President Donald Trump’s order banning travelers from seven Muslim-majority nations.
Ahmed Hussen is a Somali refugee who was recently named Canada’s new immigration minister. He said Sunday no one is currently stranded at the country’s airports by the ban.Ahmed Hussen is a Somali refugee who was recently named Canada’s new immigration minister. He said Sunday no one is currently stranded at the country’s airports by the ban.
11.15pm GMT11.15pm GMT
23:1523:15
Republican congressman Justin Amash from Michigan says in a Facebook post it is “not lawful” to ban immigrants based on their nationality or place of birth.Republican congressman Justin Amash from Michigan says in a Facebook post it is “not lawful” to ban immigrants based on their nationality or place of birth.
11.11pm GMT11.11pm GMT
23:1123:11
Jon SwaineJon Swaine
New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman demanded in a letter to the Department of Homeland Security and Customs that they “describe specific steps they are taking to ensure compliance” with the Brooklyn federal court’s injunction on Trump’s executive order.New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman demanded in a letter to the Department of Homeland Security and Customs that they “describe specific steps they are taking to ensure compliance” with the Brooklyn federal court’s injunction on Trump’s executive order.
“My office is receiving alarming reports that DHS and CBP are not complying with the federal injunction and restraining order and are instead planning to remove from the United States individuals specifically protected by the terms of the federal court order”, said Schneiderman.“My office is receiving alarming reports that DHS and CBP are not complying with the federal injunction and restraining order and are instead planning to remove from the United States individuals specifically protected by the terms of the federal court order”, said Schneiderman.
11.06pm GMT11.06pm GMT
23:0623:06
From photographer Jasper Rischen at Los Angeles’ LAX Airport:From photographer Jasper Rischen at Los Angeles’ LAX Airport:
❤❤
A photo posted by Jasper Rischen (@jasperrischen) on Jan 29, 2017 at 2:52pm PSTA photo posted by Jasper Rischen (@jasperrischen) on Jan 29, 2017 at 2:52pm PST
From a Guardian reader in Bloomington, IN, who noticed a cheeky Donald Trump and Theresa May poster.From a Guardian reader in Bloomington, IN, who noticed a cheeky Donald Trump and Theresa May poster.
Bloomington, IN. This is a lot of people for a small town and a short period to organize! Nice Trump/May poster, too @ambiej pic.twitter.com/IaEvY4ybOEBloomington, IN. This is a lot of people for a small town and a short period to organize! Nice Trump/May poster, too @ambiej pic.twitter.com/IaEvY4ybOE
From a reader in DC:From a reader in DC:
@ambiej a few images from the #NoBanNoWall protests outside the White House today pic.twitter.com/ZVS4F5CBTG@ambiej a few images from the #NoBanNoWall protests outside the White House today pic.twitter.com/ZVS4F5CBTG
From a reader in Pittsburgh:From a reader in Pittsburgh:
Young protester at the Pittsburgh Airport #MuslimBan @ambiej pic.twitter.com/NHwG98RgAKYoung protester at the Pittsburgh Airport #MuslimBan @ambiej pic.twitter.com/NHwG98RgAK
10.58pm GMT10.58pm GMT
22:5822:58
Sabrina SiddiquiSabrina Siddiqui
Guardian reporter Sabrina Siddiqui at the White House rally in DC on Sunday against Trump’s travel ban:Guardian reporter Sabrina Siddiqui at the White House rally in DC on Sunday against Trump’s travel ban:
Afnan Mossaad, a native of Texas whose parents are from Egypt, said she was in disbelief not just as a Muslim but as an American.“This is not America. These are not the American values that we all know and love”, she said. “It’s time that we speak up. We can’t let him redefine America,” she added of Trump.“You’ve got to resist. When there’s injustice, you’ve got to stand up for what’s right. This is democracy.”Heidi Obermeyer, a Colorado native working in DC, said her grandfather had fled Nazi persecution in Germany and went on to live the American Dream.“I think that it’s really important that the United States continue to be about standing up for freedom and opportunity for people around the world who are being persecuted,” she said. Obermeyer said felt compelled to show her support for the protest in order “to send a message that America is a welcoming place even if the current administration isn’t.” Dominick Pugliese, a history teacher at a local high school, directed his message not at Trump but at Paul Ryan.“I know that he knows better than this,” Pugliese said of the House speaker, who backed Trump’s executive order on Friday.“People like [Steve] Bannon and Kellyanne Conway, the horsemen and horsewomen of the apocalypse, that’s one thing,” he said. “Paul Ryan knows America’s values and is not only being silent, but supporting this. It’s horrible.”Heather Mcilhany said Trump’s ban was “ignorant and counterproductive.”“We have to stand up before someone comes for us,” she said. “Other than Native Americans, there’s none of us who did not come here as immigrants.”Afnan Mossaad, a native of Texas whose parents are from Egypt, said she was in disbelief not just as a Muslim but as an American.“This is not America. These are not the American values that we all know and love”, she said. “It’s time that we speak up. We can’t let him redefine America,” she added of Trump.“You’ve got to resist. When there’s injustice, you’ve got to stand up for what’s right. This is democracy.”Heidi Obermeyer, a Colorado native working in DC, said her grandfather had fled Nazi persecution in Germany and went on to live the American Dream.“I think that it’s really important that the United States continue to be about standing up for freedom and opportunity for people around the world who are being persecuted,” she said. Obermeyer said felt compelled to show her support for the protest in order “to send a message that America is a welcoming place even if the current administration isn’t.” Dominick Pugliese, a history teacher at a local high school, directed his message not at Trump but at Paul Ryan.“I know that he knows better than this,” Pugliese said of the House speaker, who backed Trump’s executive order on Friday.“People like [Steve] Bannon and Kellyanne Conway, the horsemen and horsewomen of the apocalypse, that’s one thing,” he said. “Paul Ryan knows America’s values and is not only being silent, but supporting this. It’s horrible.”Heather Mcilhany said Trump’s ban was “ignorant and counterproductive.”“We have to stand up before someone comes for us,” she said. “Other than Native Americans, there’s none of us who did not come here as immigrants.”
10.52pm GMT10.52pm GMT
22:5222:52
Interesting article by David French in National Review attempting to break down Trump’s executive order by noting that while the ban on green card holders is “madness”, most of Trump’s proposals are far more moderate than originally promised - and not that different from Obama’s refugee policies:Interesting article by David French in National Review attempting to break down Trump’s executive order by noting that while the ban on green card holders is “madness”, most of Trump’s proposals are far more moderate than originally promised - and not that different from Obama’s refugee policies:
So, what did Trump do? Did he implement his promised Muslim ban? No, far from it. He backed down dramatically from his campaign promises and instead signed an executive order dominated mainly by moderate refugee restrictions and temporary provisions aimed directly at limiting immigration from jihadist conflict zones.So, what did Trump do? Did he implement his promised Muslim ban? No, far from it. He backed down dramatically from his campaign promises and instead signed an executive order dominated mainly by moderate refugee restrictions and temporary provisions aimed directly at limiting immigration from jihadist conflict zones.
... While the Syrian Civil War was raging, ISIS was rising, and refugees were swamping Syria’s neighbors and surging into Europe, the Obama administration let in less than a trickle of refugees. Only in the closing days of his administration did President Obama reverse course — in numbers insufficient to make a dent in the overall crisis, by the way — and now the Democrats have the audacity to tweet out pictures of bleeding Syrian children?... While the Syrian Civil War was raging, ISIS was rising, and refugees were swamping Syria’s neighbors and surging into Europe, the Obama administration let in less than a trickle of refugees. Only in the closing days of his administration did President Obama reverse course — in numbers insufficient to make a dent in the overall crisis, by the way — and now the Democrats have the audacity to tweet out pictures of bleeding Syrian children?
Read the rest here.Read the rest here.
10.42pm GMT10.42pm GMT
22:4222:42
Paul OwenPaul Owen
From deputy news editor Paul Owen at New York City’s rally on Sunday in Battery Park:From deputy news editor Paul Owen at New York City’s rally on Sunday in Battery Park:
Fauzia Khanani said her family had come from Uganda as refugees to Canada and then moved to the US when she was one year old.Fauzia Khanani said her family had come from Uganda as refugees to Canada and then moved to the US when she was one year old.
She said she was protesting against the travel ban in New York’s Battery Park - within sight of the Statue of Liberty - because “I’m a Muslim, I’m a product of refugees, I’m a naturalised citizen. I’m appalled and scared and angry and I’m sad about what’s happening and the people that support it but when I come to a place like this,”she said of the protest, “it gives me hope”.She said she was protesting against the travel ban in New York’s Battery Park - within sight of the Statue of Liberty - because “I’m a Muslim, I’m a product of refugees, I’m a naturalised citizen. I’m appalled and scared and angry and I’m sad about what’s happening and the people that support it but when I come to a place like this,”she said of the protest, “it gives me hope”.
Debbie Meisenzahl said she was at the protest in lower Manhattan “to stand up for my fellow New Yorkers against... I want to say a bad word right now. BS - I’ll say the short version.”Debbie Meisenzahl said she was at the protest in lower Manhattan “to stand up for my fellow New Yorkers against... I want to say a bad word right now. BS - I’ll say the short version.”
She said that Trump’s policy was disproportionate when there were “just a few bad apples”.She said that Trump’s policy was disproportionate when there were “just a few bad apples”.
“That’s not what America stands for,” she said. “We’re all immigrants or descended from immigrants. Asked about the Statue of Liberty, whose image she was displaying on a poster, she said: “We stand with her.”“That’s not what America stands for,” she said. “We’re all immigrants or descended from immigrants. Asked about the Statue of Liberty, whose image she was displaying on a poster, she said: “We stand with her.”
Meisenzahl said a Yemeni man had recently helped her and her father when he had to move out of his building and said of Trump’s travel ban on seven countries including Yemen: “It’s such a travesty.”Meisenzahl said a Yemeni man had recently helped her and her father when he had to move out of his building and said of Trump’s travel ban on seven countries including Yemen: “It’s such a travesty.”
Irina Teveleva, who was carrying a sign that said “Our New York is immigrant New York”, said she had moved from Moscow to America and was now a student at Columbia University.Irina Teveleva, who was carrying a sign that said “Our New York is immigrant New York”, said she had moved from Moscow to America and was now a student at Columbia University.
She said: “All the opportunities I’ve had in this country, I feel really lucky and grateful. I want to stand up for other immigrants.”She said: “All the opportunities I’ve had in this country, I feel really lucky and grateful. I want to stand up for other immigrants.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.19pm GMTat 11.19pm GMT
10.27pm GMT10.27pm GMT
22:2722:27
Corker calls Trump's executive order 'poorly implemented'Corker calls Trump's executive order 'poorly implemented'
The chairman of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, Republican Senator Bob Corker from Tennessee, criticized Trump’s executive order on immigration calling it “poorly implemented” and said it should be “immediately” reviewed:The chairman of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, Republican Senator Bob Corker from Tennessee, criticized Trump’s executive order on immigration calling it “poorly implemented” and said it should be “immediately” reviewed:
“We all share a desire to protect the American people, but this executive order has been poorly implemented, especially with respect to green card holders,” Corker said, according to USA Today.“We all share a desire to protect the American people, but this executive order has been poorly implemented, especially with respect to green card holders,” Corker said, according to USA Today.
“The administration should immediately make appropriate revisions, and it is my hope that following a thorough review and implementation of security enhancements that many of these programs will be improved and reinstated” said Corker.“The administration should immediately make appropriate revisions, and it is my hope that following a thorough review and implementation of security enhancements that many of these programs will be improved and reinstated” said Corker.
10.16pm GMT
22:16
Lauren Gambino
Guardian reporter Lauren Gambino from DC’s rally against Trump’s travel ban:
The march descended on the Capitol chanting, “do your job” at the mostly absent Congress. (It’s a Sunday, after all!).
Jennifer Rodriguez, the daughter of Cuban refugees, marched with them, wearing a pink “pussyhat” from last weekend’s march.
“I can’t imagine what would have happened if President Kennedy at that time had decided to do what Trump is doing— to just send them back,” she said, her voice swelling with emotion. “They would have been killed.”
Rodriguez said she was appalled by the actions the new administration has taken and vowed to continue to protest Trump and his agenda.
“I’ll be here every weekend if that’s what it takes,” she said as the crowd converged on the Capitol lawn.
Like Rodriguez, several people had signs that said “child of refugees” and “nation of immigrants. Many carried signs with the words from the Statue of Liberty that have for generations represented America’s welcoming of immigrants: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
For those who wondered if the Women’s March on Washington would translate into a movement, the spontaneous protest on Sunday, which attracted hundreds if not thousands of people, was a positive sign.
Anjali Singh, who heard about the protest on Facebook last night and came with her friends, said she felt empowered by the rally and already plans to attend future ones. But still, she couldn’t help but to wonder if it was making a difference.
“I want to see action, I want to see policy changes,” she said.
Her friend, Zulakha Iqbal said she felt it was important to show up and make her voice heard.
“I’ll be protesting until the next election cycle - until at least 2018,” Iqbal said. “That’s the whole point, keeping up the momentum.”
After about twenty minutes of chanting in front of the Capitol, the protestors began to disperse for the evening.
10.06pm GMT
22:06
Congress representatives are fighting against Border and Customs Patrol officials at Washington Dulles Airport in Virginia, after dozens of people reportedly remain detained despite last night’s court order putting a stay on Trump’s executive order.
Representative Don Beyer is at the airport, with Congress colleagues Gerry Connolly and Jamie Raskin.
We have a constitutional crisis today. Four Members of Congress asked CBP officials to enforce a federal court order and were turned away.
From a Huffington Post reporter, who tweeted that he was told 16 people were detained off one flight from Turkey.
At Dulles, Rep. Raskin just told me: "The rule of law is on a tightrope in America right now."
Footage from the airport shows Congressman Connelly speaking with border control, and when Dulles Airport Police is mentioned, he replied: “And I want them to know I’m going to be a pain in the ass”.
Rep. Raskin, Connelly, Beyer at Dulles demanding access to Customs over detainees pic.twitter.com/j772vl7Blm
A veteran-led rally will be held at 7pm at the Dulles airport tonight. From the rally’s press release:
Army Captain Matt Zeller, co-founder of No One Left Behind, which resettles translators and others who helped American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, stated that his organization has received over 500 messages from Afghans and Iraqis currently trapped abroad, hunted by the Taliban and ISIS for supporting our war effort, desperate to get to safety, and terrified America will slam the door closed.
“Without Janis, my translator, I would not be alive today,” said Captain Zeller. “I would have been killed by two Taliban fighters in the hills of Afghanistan and not fighting for interpreters’ rights today. President Trump’s order permanently harms our national security. It pains me to think how many U.S. soldiers will now die in future wars because we couldn’t recruit the local support that is often the difference between life and death.”
Updated
at 10.09pm GMT
9.51pm GMT
21:51
Trump slams McCain and Graham: 'sadly weak on immigration'
Continuing on Trump, he’s now taken to Twitter to slam Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, Republicans who criticized his executive order as more likely to help Isis than stop terrorists.
The joint statement of former presidential candidates John McCain & Lindsey Graham is wrong - they are sadly weak on immigration. The two...
...Senators should focus their energies on ISIS, illegal immigration and border security instead of always looking to start World War III.
9.49pm GMT
21:49
Just in contrast to Donald Trump’s claim that his travel ban executive order is “not a Muslim ban”, my colleague Ben Jacobs reminded us of Trump’s statement from December, 2015:
Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on. According to Pew Research, among others, there is great hatred towards Americans by large segments of the Muslim population. Most recently, a poll from the Center for Security Policy released data showing “25% of those polled agreed that violence against Americans here in the United States is justified as a part of the global jihad” and 51% of those polled, “agreed that Muslims in America should have the choice of being governed according to Shariah.” Shariah authorizes such atrocities as murder against non-believers who won’t convert, beheadings and more unthinkable acts that pose great harm to Americans, especially women.
Mr. Trump stated, “Without looking at the various polling data, it is obvious to anybody the hatred is beyond comprehension. Where this hatred comes from and why we will have to determine. Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life. If I win the election for President, we are going to Make America Great Again.
9.41pm GMT
21:41
Donald Trump: 'this is not a Muslim ban'
A statement just in from Donald Trump, saying that his executive order is “not about religion.”
The president says his order it is “not a Muslim ban” but instead “similar” to former president Obama’s policy on refugees from Iraq.
This is the full statement:
America is a proud nation of immigrants and we will continue to show compassion to those fleeing oppression, but we will do so while protecting our own citizens and border. America has always been the land of the free and home of the brave. We will keep it free and keep it safe, as the media knows, but refuses to say. My policy is similar to what President Obama did in 2011 when he banned visas for refugees from Iraq for six months. The seven countries named in the Executive Order are the same countries previously identified by the Obama administration as sources of terror.
To be clear, this is not a Muslim ban, as the media is falsely reporting. This is not about religion - this is about terror and keeping our country safe. There are over 40 different countries worldwide that are majority Muslim that are not affected by this order. We will again be issuing visas to all countries once we are sure we have reviewed and implemented the most secure policies over the next 90 days. I have tremendous feeling for the people involved in this horrific humanitarian crisis in Syria. My first priority will always be to protect and serve our country, but as president I will find ways to help all those who are suffering.
9.36pm GMT
21:36
At least 4 people still detained at JFK despite legal decision
Edward Helmore
Guardian reporter Edward Helmore from JFK airport in New York City:
Around three pm, Iranian Iman Alknfushe‎, a US permanent legal resident who had been held since early Saturday, was released to her family. Her release followed that of Iranian student Bahide Rasekhikollkdragh earlier in the day.
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries ‎of New York said to his knowledge around “four or five” people were still being detained at JFK, down from 13 at late Saturday. The number was fluid because as some were released, still more arrived including four Somali Americans overnight. They are understood to be permanent legal residents.
“We’re trying to move people from what we believe is unlawful detention as expeditiously as possible” he said.
Jeffries described a complex system of court rulings, directives from the Department of Homeland security and the administration.
“The local border patrol has been relatively cooperative. However the White House chief of staff said today that executive order does not apply to permanent legal residents. But even his interpretation is inaccurate. There are are multiple permanent legal residents being detained, in some cases for more than 30 hours.”
Jeffries said it was obvious the White House had put out inaccurate information based on what we’re seeing.
“There are legal residents who have been unlawfully detained in their home country. End of story. We’ve seen it time and again,” he said.
The congressman also expressed concern that lawful US residents were being denied permission to return.
“There is a couple in Jordan, one of whom is a green card holder, who are being prevented from board‎ing a flight.”
Updated
at 10.07pm GMT
9.27pm GMT
21:27
Britons holding dual citizenship with any of the seven Muslim-majority countries listed as suspended by the United States will still be allowed to enter the US, says the Foreign Office.
A statement from the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says that after conversations with the US government, the department can confirm the following (direct from its statement):
The presidential executive order only applies to individuals travelling from one of the seven named countries.
If you are travelling to the US from anywhere other than one of those countries (for instance, the UK) the executive order does not apply to you and you will experience no extra checks regardless of your nationality or your place of birth.
If you are a UK national who happens to be travelling from one of those countries to the US, then the order does not apply to you – even if you were born in one of those countries.
If you are a dual citizen of one of those countries travelling to the US from OUTSIDE those countries then the order does not apply to you.
The only dual nationals who might have extra checks are those coming from one of the seven countries themselves – for example a UK-Libya dual national coming from Libya to the US.
9.14pm GMT
21:14
Chelsea Clinton protests at NYC rally against ban
Chelsea Clinton, daughter of Hillary and Bill, is at the New York rally against the immigration ban.
#NewYork #NoBanNoWall pic.twitter.com/4rndBgMDAH
Yes. We will keep standing up for a country that matches our values and ideals for all. pic.twitter.com/yfVlX5sL3f
9.04pm GMT
21:04
Dozens of rallies across the country continue to attract thousands protesting Donald Trump’s executive order restricting travel.
Guardian readers tweeted us from Boston’s rally in Copley Square:
@ambiej live from Boston pic.twitter.com/cdMAvr3wRC
@ambiej from my friend Clara in Boston pic.twitter.com/soPV4TwVyS
From a Guardian reader in Rochester, New York:
.@ambiej Rochester, NY—"We will not be bullied!" pic.twitter.com/45ogS4cfet
https://twitter.com/GrandREvans/status/825791520812986368
From Sabrina Siddiqui at the DC rally:
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the White House began marching toward the US Capitol, many clutching signs that read “Refugees welcome”. They chanted a call and response of “What do you want -- justice? When do you want it -- now”, while others still standing outside the White House gates simply shouted “Shame”.
.@ambiej Somalian refugee/RIT student speaking now. He flew into JFK yesterday and made it back home to Rochester. #Jan29Roc #NoBanNoWall
A Guardian reader sent this pic from outside the new Trump hotel in DC:
#NoBanNoWall #dc @ambiej pic.twitter.com/xcPRYi7gCn
Guardian reporter Sabrina Siddiqui sent this update from the DC rally:
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the White House began marching toward the US Capitol, many clutching signs that read “Refugees welcome”. They chanted a call and response of “What do you want -- justice? When do you want it -- now”, while others still standing outside the White House gates simply shouted “Shame”.
From a Guardian reader outside the Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport in Minnesota:
This is what democracy looks like. @ambiej #NoBanNoWall pic.twitter.com/EftESbvZ1n
From a reader at San Francisco’s airport rally:
Four photos from the #SFProtest today... (News orgs: I have high-res photos; just ask.) pic.twitter.com/trybAZvUiK
Are you at a rally? Please tweet photos, news and videos to me at @ambiej.
8.54pm GMT
20:54
Tech industry comes out in force against travel ban
Many leaders in the tech industry came out strongly against Trump’s executive order which bans refugees and suspends entry for visa-holders from seven Muslim-majority countries.
As Edward Helmore reports:
Executives at major tech companies that rely on foreign skilled labour also expressed concern. In a memo to staff, Google Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai said it had been “painful to see the personal cost” on our colleagues. The tech giant’s USSR-born co-founder, Sergei Brin, attended the protest at San Francisco’s airport, telling reporters he was there in a personal capacity, “because I am a refugee”.
Apple head Tim Cook said in an email to employees that he had contacted the White House to explain the “negative effect” of the restrictions, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, an Indian immigrant, described in an online post “the positive impact that immigration has on our company, for the country, and for the world”.
The tech world focused fundraising efforts for ACLU, which led the legal challenge against Trump’s executie order.
Car-ride company Lyft co-founders announced the company would donation $1 million to the ACLU over the next four years to help its working defending the constitution.
The popular game Dots installed a pop-up in its app, declaring it welcomes “players from all over the world” , with a “support now” button linking directly to the ACLU donation page.
.@dots is taking a stand. We are showing this to all of our players. 3-4 million people will see this soon #MuslimBan (thx @karaswisher) pic.twitter.com/5qwrVkuNF1
Many tech types took to Twitter to offer to match ACLU donations, taking over from each other as soon as each total was reached.
Dominik Hofmann, the founder of Vine and Byte, offered to match ACLU donations up to $50,000 Saturday night, with dozens of people sending receipts for donations ranging from $10 to thousands of dollars. A combined $116,000 was donated, tweeted Hofmann.
Steven Frank from Panic matched donations to $10,000, raising that amount in one hour. Eoghan McCabe, CEO and co-founder of Intercom, offered to match up to $50k on Sunday, as did Patrick Collison from Stripe.
Outside of the tech world, singer Sia and actor Rosie O’Donnell both offered to meet ACLU donations up to $100,000.
Updated
at 9.28pm GMT