MAJOR NEWS: Palantir's Departure from Colorado is a Hard-Earned Community Victory
Denver earns its first wins against Palantir and Flock, and wakes up to the need for AI legislation
This Monday I stood atop a grassy hill at a park with Emily, a colleague from Denver Anti War Action; Len, a community organizer at the AFL-CIO; and Jeanette, a hero of the immigrant rights movement in Colorado — who was just released after nine months in politically-motivated ICE detention, ruled unconstitutional by a U.S. District court judge. The four of us were there to speak and support a march, organized by local unions, to the site of what we believed would be Palantir’s new headquarters — the result of a move from the other side of the city which was announced only a few months before.
But that would be the last day Palantir would call Colorado home.
What happens when a community comes together to take a stance on corporate giants, and exerts constant pressure on the media and on the ground?
What happens when intersectional coalitions are formed, and activists come together with faith groups, community groups, neighborhood associations, and unions?
What happens when they host multiple town halls with representatives about the dangers of ICE, Palantir, and Flock technology?
What happens when nearly 20,000 people sign letters in support of AI legislation and form a world-first People’s Caucus on AI ?
What happens when we show up to city council and do the same?
Well, maybe, we all get to see our city become a (slightly) better place for future generations. On Tuesday, after near daily-pressure on Palantir, ICE, and Flock over the past month by many Denver groups — what we nicknamed The Winter of AI — Palantir announced that had moved its headquarters from Denver to Miami. It specifically cited protests and Colorado AI regulation as risks in its accompanying SEC filing, and as the Miami Herald reports: ”Palantir was worried about activist-led protests over the technology company’s contracts that “are or are perceived to be harmful” and “have resulted in public criticism.”
In another major victory following weeks of campaigning and public outrage, the city auditor decided not to approve the Mayor’s proposed contract extension with Flock for automated license plate readers and police drones.
The Colorado State legislature and Denver City Council are now considering multiple important bills to regulate AI and protect people from surveillance, signaling an important shift in political headwinds in favor of the people — no the tech billionaires behind this administration.
As I told the Guardian, “Colorado has rejected the values of Palantir – the values of an economy built on exploitation of people’s data, whether it’s for warfare or for immigration enforcement.” Read more on CBS, Bloomberg, and The Denver Post.
The full press release with our friends at DAWA, GSUS, and the AFSC:
Palantir Moves From Denver to Miami After Mounting Public Pressure
(Denver, Colorado) — Colorado residents and organizers celebrated a victory after Palantir Technologies quietly announced that the company will be moving their headquarters from Denver to Miami, Florida. This announcement follows over a year of escalating local anti-Palantir protests, organized by groups including Denver Anti-War Action, Denver Against Machines, General Strike, DSA, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) Denver United and SEIU. The company moved from Palo Alto to Denver in 2020 due to dissatisfaction with the culture of Silicon Valley, similarly following months of protests.
Earlier this month, Congressman Jason Crow and Senator John Hickenlooper caved to public pressure and donated campaign contributions, $59,700 and $51,504 respectively, received from Palantir leaders to local immigrant rights nonprofits.
“Palantir can keep running, but they can’t hide anymore.” said Dain of GSUS Colorado and Denver Against Machines. “We’re more organized than we’ve ever been, not just in Colorado but across the country. This is just the start of our ultimate goal of getting Palantir out of our local and federal government entirely.”
Groups in Denver have hosted public actions, townhalls, whistleblower exposes, strikes, motorcades, all-day pickets, Capitol rallies, candlelight vigils, and targeted political pressure against Palantir. Community advocates primarily criticized the company’s involvement in war crimes abroad, genocide in Gaza and collaboration with DHS and ICE to facilitate mass surveillance, resettlement, and incarceration.
“We celebrate major progress on the path to victory today. We take this as proof that coordinated, collaborative action by the people is the most effective route to bringing about a better world. We won’t stop until Palantir is fully out of Denver and is brought to justice. We look forward to supporting the people of South Florida in the continued fight against this destructive corporation and its billionaire owners.” said Michael Hughes of Denver Anti-War Action.
The movement opposing Palantir’s presence in the state catalyzed the formation of the People’s Caucus on AI. Next month, Denver Anti-War Action and a coalition of Denver organizations will hold a Palantir Week of Pressure from March 9-15 to say “goodbye” to Palantir and ensure the company knows continued operations are unwelcome in this state.
“The pressure Palantir has felt in Denver will be following them around the country. This company works in nearly every U.S. city, and it’s time for Palantir ties to be cut nationwide. Our AFSC Denver office organized an ‘Unwelcome Party’ when they first arrived to the city, and that energy will be found everywhere they go.” Kenny Morris, American Friends Service Committee, an organization supporting the Purge Palantir Campaign
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About Denver Anti-War Action
Denver Anti-War Action (DAWA) is a local community organization that opposes US imperialism and the military-industrial complex worldwide. Founded in November 2023 in the wake of Israel’s most recent genocidal campaign in Gaza, DAWA has worked closely with the Colorado Palestine Coalition (CPC) and other local organizations to fight the forces that seek to destroy people and nations around the world.
About Against Machines
Denver Against Machines is a movement that aims to build real-world community and literacy around civil rights and technology issues. We focus on education, culture, and advocacy for civil rights in the face of increasing mass surveillance and authoritarianism.
About General Strike US, Colorado
GSUS CO is the Colorado Chapter of the decentralized general strike movement uniting 3.5% or 11 million Americans to engage in and build mutual aid systems. With a goal of long term economic, environmental, social, and political change, we aim to withdraw our labor and spending from the systems that exploit us.
About American Friends Service Committee
The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) promotes a world free of violence, inequality, and oppression. Guided by the Quaker belief in the divine light within each person, we nurture the seeds of change and the respect for human life to fundamentally transform our societies and institutions. We work with people and partners worldwide, of all faiths and backgrounds, to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace.
