Uber is facing some backlash after immigration protests this weekend.
A tweet from the company's New York City account ignited a firestorm on social media this past Saturday.
Around the same time taxi drivers were protesting at JFK Airport, Uber announced it would be turning off surge pricing.
Surge pricing has been turned off at #JFK Airport. This may result in longer wait times. Please be patient.
— Uber NYC (@Uber_NYC) January 29, 2017
The taxi workers were protesting against President Trump’s new immigration ban.
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
Soon after the tweet from Uber, people starting accusing the ride share company of trying to disrupt the strike.
.@Uber_NYC your company is supporting the death of innocents pic.twitter.com/A4RhCLG0wS
— Peter Labuza (@labuzamovies) January 29, 2017
Over the weekend, the hashtag #DeleteUber started to trend. The company responded, saying it was not trying to break up the strike.
Last tweet not meant to break strike. Our CEO’s statement opposing travel ban and compensating those impacted: https://t.co/joWvPvux9J
— Uber NYC (@Uber_NYC) January 29, 2017
CEO Travis Kalanick, who is on President Trump's economic advisory board, issued a statementsaying Uber opposed the travel ban and would be helping to compensate drivers who are impacted and may not be able to reenter the country.
"We are working out a process to identify these drivers and compensate them pro bono during the next three months to help mitigate some of the financial stress and complications with supporting their families and putting food on the table."
Other people also came to the company's defense amid the backlash.
@jsatz23 legit question, can't uber drivers choose not to drive tonight if they so choose? isn't that the freedom of driving for uber?
— Fabienne (@somurderous) January 29, 2017
Meanwhile, Uber’s competitor Lyft also took action regarding the protests.
The company announced that it stands against the travel ban, too— and would be donating $1,000,000 over the next four years to the ACLU.
"We stand firmly against these actions, and will not be silent on issues that threaten the values of our community."
