The hashtag #DeleteUber became Twitter's top trending topic on Sunday. Users took aim at the app for not participating in the NY taxi drivers' strike at John F. Kennedy International Airport against Donald Trump's immigration order. The protests were staged as two Iraqis were detained after the new president's controversial executive order.
It seems that protesters of United States President Donald Trump's Immigration Order have been deleting the popular Uber app from their smartphones. Trump administration's order prohibits citizens including refugees and even visa holders from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S for 90 days.
The Uber beef started when the company decided to announce that they will not be surging prices, following a strike by taxi cab drivers. The protesters did not take rides from the airport, but Uber still pushed through with the promise of not increasing the fare price despite the great demand for taxis. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance announced that there would be a pause in taxi operations as they tweeted, "NO PICKUPS @ JFK Airport 6 PM to 7 PM today. Drivers stand in solidarity with thousands protesting inhumane & unconstitutional." JFK terminals echoed with chants: "No ban, no wall, sanctuary for all!" and "no hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here!" Uber NYC then made their no price surge announcement.
Hundreds of Uber users were then consecutively posting screenshots taken of deleting the Uber app. Users also pointed their fingers at Uber's CEO Travis Kalanickwith suspicion of collaborating with Donald Trump after joining Trump's business advisory council.
Uber's competitor, Lyft, found favor from the masses when they pledged to donate 1 million USD to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). According to Lyft, "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 nations' core values."
