Salesforce Protestors Demand Benioff Sign Democracy Pledge Amid ICE Criticism

A group of around 100 protestors gathered at the corner of Howard and Fourth Streets in San Francisco on Tuesday morning to call out Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff for his company's involvement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The protest was part of a broader effort to get Benioff to sign a democracy pledge, which would show support for democratic values.

According to Mitra Zarinebaf, communications manager at activist network Bay Resistance, the protest targeted Benioff because he is seen as 'amenable' to supporting progressive causes. She cited his past public support for Proposition C, a business tax that funds city homelessness services, and his ongoing donations to SFUSD.

However, the New York Times reported last year that Salesforce pitched its software to ICE, proposing the use of AI tools for 'talent acquisition' to triple the agency's workforce. Benioff also made a joke about deporting international employees at an internal event in Las Vegas, which prompted over 1,400 Salesforce employees to sign a letter demanding their employer cancel any potential business with ICE.

The protest lasted for around two hours, during which time the protestors marched and chanted on the corner outside Yerba Buena Gardens. They also handed out flyers to passing attendees of the annual Dreamforce conference, where Benioff was set to give a keynote speech at the same time as the protest.