Tech workers and leaders split after Minneapolis protester killings

Top technology executives gathered in Washington this weekend for a screening of the documentary "Melania," while many in Silicon Valley publicly criticized the Trump administration after federal agents in Minneapolis shot and killed Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Executives at the screening included Andy Jassy of Amazon, Tim Cook of Apple and Lisa Su of AMD.

Back in the Bay Area, engineers, investors and other tech employees launched a letter called ICEout.tech that has drawn more than 500 signatures calling for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave U.S. cities, for contracts with the agency to be canceled and for the industry not to remain silent.

Jeff Dean of Google’s DeepMind called Mr. Pretti’s killing "absolutely shameful" in a social media post. The episode has reopened tensions within the industry. The Times reported that some tech leaders in recent years have cultivated relationships with conservative politicians, and that companies including Palantir and Anduril have won federal contracts.

Greg Brockman of OpenAI and his wife each donated $12.5 million this month to a pro‑Trump super PAC, and a social media post by venture capitalist Keith Rabois defending ICE drew public denouncements from two partners at his firm.

Key Topics

Tech, Alex Pretti, Renee Good, Iceout.tech, Ice, Minneapolis