AUSTIN, Texas — Nurses and community activists gathered on South Congress Avenue in Austin on Thursday to call on hospitals to cut ties with Palantir Technologies, a company that also contracts with the federal government, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The demonstration began outside 8VC, an investment firm whose founder, Joe Lonsdale, also co-founded Palantir.
Protesters said they want Palantir’s technology out of hospitals and out of the federal government. The group marched along South Congress chanting “No ICE, no war, no Palantir,” and stopped traffic to lay out dozens of baby shoes, which organizers said represented children affected by immigration enforcement.
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Austin nurse Monica Gonzalez joined the nationwide protest.
“Different hospital systems use their AI technology to the detriment of the nurses and the patients,” Gonzalez said.
National Nurses United, a national nursing union, is targeting Palantir over its work with immigration enforcement and its growing role inside some American hospitals. In some health care systems, for example, they say Palantir helped develop an AI-based system used for nurse staffing and scheduling.
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, also joined the demonstration outside 8VC.
“Are we going to let them replace our jobs? Are we gonna let them take our money? Are going to let them surveil our communities?” Casar asked the crowd.
Palantir called the protesters’ claims “baseless.” The company said its software has helped the federal government protect national security, and said its work in hospitals has saved lives and improved patient care. In a statement to CBS Austin on Thursday, a spokesperson for Palantir wrote:
“Palantir is a software company, not a data company. The claims made at these protests are baseless. For over 20 years, and across five administrations of both political parties, Palantir software has helped the U.S. government improve workflows and minimize mistakes – protecting our troops, defending national security and improving public health. In the private sector, our work in hospitals around the country saves lives – reducing sepsis deaths, placing patients into hospital beds faster and improving workflows for healthcare workers.”
Protesters left signs and stickers outside 8VC. Minutes later, the signs were being taken down, and police arrived at the scene.
One person, who identified himself as the owner of the building, confronted protesters.
“That’s not a very good way to get your message across,” he said.
National Nurses United said the strikes were happening beyond Austin, with demonstrations also planned Thursday in several other cities, including Chicago, New Orleans and Washington, D.C.
8VC did not respond to a request for comment ahead of our deadline on Thursday.