It’s all because of Donald Trump
People across the globe have started deleting the online transportation app, Uber, from their phones after Donald Trump’s Travel Ban on Muslims.
After Trump signed the immigration order, prohibiting people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering the US, protests broke out all over the world – one of which was outside JFK airport in New York.
One of the organisations that took a stand was the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, a predominantly Muslim union who announced a one hour strike at JFK, refusing to drive to stand in solidarity with those affected. Uber on the other hand has come under fire for not showing the same level of support and even hindering the protest.
Issuing a statement on their Facebook page, the NYTWA wrote:
‘Professional drivers are over 20 times more likely to be murdered on the job than other workers. By sanctioning bigotry with his unconstitutional and inhumane executive order banning Muslim refugees from seven countries, the president is putting professional drivers in more danger than they have been in any time since 9/11 when hate crimes against immigrants skyrocketed.’
The statement continues: ‘Our 19,000-member-strong union stands firmly opposed to Donald Trump's Muslim ban. As an organization whose membership is largely Muslim, a workforce that's almost universally immigrant, and a working-class movement that is rooted in the defense of the oppressed, we say no to this inhumane and unconstitutional ban.
Today, drivers are joining the protest at JFK Airport in support of all those who are currently being detained at the airport because of Trump's unconstitutional executive order. Drivers stand in solidarity with refugees coming to America in search of peace and safety and with those who are simply trying to return to their homes here in America after traveling abroad. We stand in solidarity with all of our peace-loving neighbors against this inhumane, cruel, and unconstitutional act of pure bigotry.’
Despite a lot of its drivers being Muslim, Uber has not only been criticised for its lack of support for the demonstrations, but also for actually capitalising on the protests.
The transportation app responded to the strikes by eliminating surge prices at the airport, something the CEO has since apologised for, explaining how it had been a misunderstanding.
Uber customers may need a bit more convincing though, with people all over the world deleting the app and posting evidence of it to social media as a symbol of their protesting Trump’s Muslim ban.
