News Summary
A passionate protest took place outside Thiel Capital in West Hollywood, where demonstrators opposed Palantir Technologies’ $30 million contract with ICE. About 100-150 individuals rallied to express their concerns regarding the implications of AI technology used by Palantir, arguing it facilitates mass deportations and infringes on civil rights. The protest featured personal stories, critical slogans, and aimed to deliver a letter to Peter Thiel urging a reconsideration of ICE collaboration. Despite law enforcement presence, demonstrators showed solidarity, emphasizing the importance of immigration justice.
West Hollywood, CA – On June 13, 2025, approximately 100-150 non-violent demonstrators participated in a protest outside Thiel Capital, located at 9200 Sunset Boulevard. The rally, organized to oppose Palantir Technologies’ collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), began at 10 AM and involved demonstrators occupying two lobby areas of the office building.
The protest specifically targeted Palantir’s $30 million contract with ICE, which activists argue facilitates mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. Participants expressed concerns regarding the implications of Palantir’s technology, which employs artificial intelligence to analyze personal data, social media, and physical characteristics. Protesters claimed such technology may disproportionately impact undocumented individuals and political opponents, raising alarms about surveillance and civil rights violations.
As the demonstration unfolded, a smaller group sought to approach the personal office of billionaire Peter Thiel, who supports Palantir, with the intent of delivering a letter that urged him to reconsider the company’s involvement with ICE. This effort was part of a broader campaign advocating for immigration justice.
Chants reverberated through the area, with slogans emphasizing immigrant rights such as “Say it loud, say it clear, immigrants are welcome here!” and “ICE get outta L.A.” Protesters carried signs displaying messages critical of Thiel, such as “Frodo has failed, Peter Thiel has the ring” and “Mass movement not mass surveillance.” Many demonstrators shared personal stories, with some having family members recently detained by ICE, highlighting the emotional toll of the agency’s activities on immigrant communities in Los Angeles.
As the rally continued, sheriffs deputies began to gather outside the building around 11 AM. However, law enforcement did not initially engage with the protesters. Ultimately, thirteen individuals, including prominent community leader Jenny Colón, were arrested during the event, which was characterized by its passionate expressions of solidarity among demonstrators.
A post-demonstration press release from “palantirtakedown” indicated that many participants had personal connections to individuals impacted by ICE actions, emphasizing the rally’s role in voicing collective outrage against the use of technology to target vulnerable populations. The letter addressed to Thiel outlined demands for an end to Palantir’s support for ICE and called for comprehensive immigration reform.
This protest reflects an increasing awareness and apprehension among activists that technology and surveillance can infringe on civil rights and human dignity. Critics voiced frustration over how billionaires like Thiel profit from such technologies while remaining detached from the communities adversely affected by these business decisions.
As discussions surrounding immigration policy and technology’s role in law enforcement continue, this demonstration serves as a significant indicator of rising public sentiment against corporate involvement in government surveillance and its effects on immigrant communities in the United States.
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Additional Resources
- L.A. Taco: Palantir Protest at Sunset Boulevard
- Hollywood Reporter: Los Angeles Immigration Protesters
- New York Magazine: Palantir and Authoritarian Entrepreneurs
- Google Search: Palantir Technologies
- L.A. Times: Students Protest Tech Companies and ICE Contracts
