The DMZ and Ryerson tech leaders signed an open letter, titled “Diversity is our Strength”, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s travel ban.
“As connected economies, decisions by the United States can directly impact every business north of the border. The recently signed executive order to block entry of citizens from seven countries has already impacted several in our community. As a community, we are all affected,” the letter wrote.
“As a community, we stand together in opposition to the marginalization of people based upon their race or religion.”
Trump’s travel ban prohibits nationals of seven Muslim-majority countries including Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering the United States for 90 days.
Trump’s executive order on immigration also suspends the American refugee program for 120 days.
More than 150 Canadian leaders in the tech and startup community signed the letter — including Ryerson Futures President Matt Saunders, Business Development Director John MacRitchie, Chang School Manager Jose Garcia and DMZ executives.
Abdullah Snobar, executive director of the DMZ, signed the open letter to condemn exclusion.
“At the DMZ, we’re greatly concerned about the impact of this order and any proposals that would marginalize a group of people. As a united tech community, we’ll continue to make our views on these issues heard,” Snobar said.
The open letter supported Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s message to welcome refugees, and called on members of the tech community to publicly share their immigrant experience.
“We believe providing refuge to people seeking safety should remain our compass. In the hours following the U.S. decision, many members of our community have privately shared personal stories of their immigrant experience. We ask them now to share those stories publicly so they may be amplified.”