Photographer: Gabby Jones / Bloomberg
Photographer: Gabby Jones / Bloomberg
An organization that represents some of the employees of Amazon.com Inc. asked the company’s cloud unit to cut ties with Parler following reports that the social media network was used by those planning a riot Wednesday at U.S. Capitol.
“Enough is enough,” Amazon Staff for Climate Justice tweeted. “We urge Amazon to reject Parler’s services until it removes posts inciting violence, including during the Presidency. We cannot engage in bloody and brutal attacks on our democracy. “
The employee enterprise group had previously pushed Amazon Web Services to stop selling its on-demand computing power and software to the fossil fuel industry, among other critics of the sales and software giant.
It is unclear how many employees the organization represents. Participation in rallies, social media reports and open letters has gone from dozens of employees to thousands at events held before the Covid-19 pandemic. Amazon last year two of the group’s directors fired for what they said was contrary to the company’s policy. Staff say they have been terminated for the activity.
Amazon did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the group’s post.
Parler, who likes outside groups seeking an alternative to more social media sites, has been on fire since the Capitol was stormed by a pro-Trump mob. Google Alphabet Inc. they removed the Parler app from their Play Store, and Apple Inc. threatening to make a similar move. In its letter to Parler, Apple said those involved in the riot were planning the action in part on the company’s services.
Parler CEO John Matze said on his social network that the company was not to blame for the violence, and that the coordination of these actions has no place on social media. “Most people on Parler are non-violent,” he wrote.