Protesters Rally in Portland for Restoration of ICE-Tracking App

Demonstrators gathered in downtown Portland on December 2, 2023, to call on Apple Inc. to restore the ICEBlock app, which allows users to report sightings of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The protest took place outside the Apple Store located at 450 S.W. Yamhill St., with over 30 participants actively voicing their discontent.

The protesters sang rewritten holiday carols while holding signs that criticized Apple’s Chief Executive, Tim Cook. They used booklets, and in at least one case an iPad, to share their protest lyrics. The ICEBlock app had gained significant traction, amassing more than 1 million users before its removal from the App Store in October 2023.

The app was taken down following communication from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who argued that it endangered federal officers by enabling users to track their movements. In response to its removal, the developer of ICEBlock filed a lawsuit last week, claiming that the Trump administration violated its free speech protections. The lawsuit alleges that Bondi exerted “state power” to pressure Apple into withdrawing the app.

Local Voices Demand Action

Event organizer Julia VanDerslice, who is also a veterinarian, stated that the protests have been ongoing since Black Friday. Demonstrators are committed to returning weekly until Christmas to advocate for the app’s reinstatement. “We really feel like that’s a violation of our First Amendment rights, to not be able to report and track things that we don’t think are right in our community,” VanDerslice explained.

The protests reflect broader concerns regarding immigration enforcement and the potential impact of technology companies on civic engagement. As demonstrators continue to voice their demands, the intersection of technology and civil liberties remains a focal point of discussion in Portland and beyond.

Apple has yet to respond to the ongoing protests or the allegations outlined in the lawsuit. The outcome of this situation may influence not only the fate of the ICEBlock app but also the policies of technology companies concerning user-generated tracking applications.