Medium, the online publishing platform based in San Francisco, has offered its employees the option to take time off on January 30, 2024, to participate in a nationwide strike against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The company’s CEO, Tony Stubblebine, announced this decision in a series of messages shared on the company’s Slack channel, expressing his support for the strike and the broader movement against recent violence related to immigration enforcement.
In his messages, Stubblebine reflected on the tragic incidents in Minneapolis involving the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by immigration officers, stating that he had been deeply affected by the situation. He noted that witnessing public protests across the country inspired hope, saying, “our business thrives when the country thrives.” Stubblebine emphasized that participation in the strike was voluntary, allowing employees to choose how much time they wished to take off.
The planned strike has garnered significant attention, with various activists, unions, and celebrities calling for a day of action that encourages Americans to refrain from work, school, and shopping. The initiative aims to protest the ongoing actions of ICE and advocate for the removal of its officers from communities nationwide. Prominent figures, including Pedro Pascal, Ariana Grande, and Jamie Lee Curtis, have used their platforms to promote the event on social media.
In addition to allowing employees to attend the strike, Medium has committed to publishing content related to the protests in its newsletter on the day of the strike. This includes a feature titled “Survival Guide To Police Encounters During Protests in Staff Picks,” designed to inform and support those participating in the demonstrations.
Stubblebine’s approach aligns with the sentiments of other business leaders who have expressed their opposition to ICE’s practices. A coalition of more than 60 executives from Minnesota-based companies, including Target, Cargill, and General Mills, issued an open letter calling for peace and de-escalation in response to the unrest surrounding immigration enforcement.
As the nationwide strike approaches, the dialogue surrounding immigration policy and enforcement continues to gain momentum, reflecting widespread concern and a desire for change within communities across the United States.
