Lyft founders pledge to donate $1MILLION to the ACLU in the wake of mass demonstrations against Trump's immigration ban - while Uber is blasted for profiting on the protests

  • Company's founders, Logan Green and John Zimmer, announced the donation
  • 'Banning people of a faith or creed, race or identity, sexuality or ethnicity, from entering the US is antithetical to Lyft's and our nation's core values,' they said
  • Earlier, Uber had come under fire for 'strike-breaking' at New York's JFK airport
  • Taxi drivers had refused to pick up from the airport for an hour to protest the ban
  • During that time, Uber announced it was not running 'surge pricing' in the area 
  • People accused them of 'colluding with Trump' and failing to take a stand against policy, and Twitter users urged others to delete the app from their phone

Lyft has pledged to donate $1 million to the American Civil Liberties Union in the wake of widespread protests against Donald Trump's controversial immigration executive order.

The ride-sharing company released a statement announcing the massive donation on Sunday morning. The letter was signed by the company's founders, Logan Green and John Zimmer.

'We created Lyft to be a model for the type of community we want our world to be: diverse, inclusive, and safe,' it read.

'This weekend, Trump closed the country's borders to refugees, immigrants, and even documented residents from around the world based on their country of origin. 

Lyft founders John Zimmer (pictured) and Logan Green have pledged to donate $1 million to the American Civil Liberties Union in the wake of widespread protests against Donald Trump's controversial immigration executive order
Logan Green

Lyft founders John Zimmer (left) and Logan Green (right) have pledged to donate $1 million to the American Civil Liberties Union in the wake of widespread protests against Donald Trump's controversial immigration executive order

'Banning people of a particular faith or creed, race or identity, sexuality or ethnicity, from entering the US is antithetical to both Lyft's and our nation's core values. We stand firmly against these actions, and will not be silent on issues that threaten the values of our community.

'We know this directly impacts many of our community members, their families, and friends. 

'We stand with you, and are donating $1,000,000 over the next four years to the ACLU to defend our constitution. We ask that you continue to be there for each other - and together, continue proving the power of community.'

The donation comes after Lyft's rival, Uber, came under fire for its actions in New York during the protests.

This statement was released by the founders on Sunday, in response to massive protests against Trump's executive order

This statement was released by the founders on Sunday, in response to massive protests against Trump's executive order

Logan Green announced the donation in a series of tweets on Saturday. An official statement was then released Sunday

Logan Green announced the donation in a series of tweets on Saturday. An official statement was then released Sunday

Users turned on the app after it turned off surge pricing in the area, which some said broke a taxi strike at JFK in response to Trump's ban.

By continuing to go to the airport, Uber's drivers reduced the impact a strike would have - which upset many across the city. 

People on Twitter announced they would be boycotting Uber while urging others to delete the app from their phones. 

The NYTWA tweeted: 'BREAKING: NYTWA drivers call for one hour work stoppage @ JFK airport today 6 PM to 7 PM to protest #muslimban! #nobannowall.'

'NO PICKUPS @ JFK Airport 6 PM to 7 PM today. Drivers stand in solidarity with thousands protesting inhumane & unconstitutional #MuslimBan.'

Many accused Uber of 'colluding with Trump' by advertising their business and 'undermining' the NYTWA boycott

Many accused Uber of 'colluding with Trump' by advertising their business and 'undermining' the NYTWA boycott

After the New York Taxi Workers Alliance announced an hour-long boycott of JFK Airport, Uber tweeted surge pricing had been turned off at the airport - prompting a swift backlash

After the New York Taxi Workers Alliance announced an hour-long boycott of JFK Airport, Uber tweeted surge pricing had been turned off at the airport - prompting a swift backlash

After Uber announced surge pricing had been turned off at JFK, Nina Illingworth wrote: 'Folks; Uber responded to the NY cabbies show of solidarity with persecuted Americans by ADVERTISING that they were open for business.'

Julieanne Smolinski tweeted: 'I've used .@uber for years. No more. Their CEO is colluding with Trump and has chosen not to decry the ban. I'm deleting. Please join me.'

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick was also attacked personally, after he decided to join Trump's economic advisory board.

But the CEO released a statement on Saturday saying the company will compensate its drivers who may be barred from entering the US as a result of the executive order.

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick said the ride sharing app will compensate its drivers who may be barred from entering the US as a result of Donald Trump's executive order
Kalanick's statement comes just days after he announced his company would be working with the new president, drawing widespread criticism from people and calls to boycotting Uber.

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick said the ride sharing app will compensate its drivers who may be barred from entering the US as a result of Donald Trump's executive order

Kalanick said the company would compensate affected drivers 'to help mitigate some of the financial stress and complications with supporting their families and putting food on the table'

Kalanick said the company would compensate affected drivers 'to help mitigate some of the financial stress and complications with supporting their families and putting food on the table'

Kalanick released an email he sent to Uber employees on Saturday, stating the company would compensate affected drivers 'to help mitigate some of the financial stress and complications with supporting their families and putting food on the table'. 

Kalanick shared the email he wrote to his employees, which included the subject line 'Standing up for what's right'.

In it, he acknowledged the 'dozen or so employees' that were affected and wrote: 'This order has far broader implications as it also affects thousands of drivers who use Uber and come from the listed countries, many of whom take long breaks to go back home to see their extended family...

'That means they will not be able to earn a living and support their families — and of course they will be separated from their loved ones during that time.'

President Donald Trump on Saturday defended his executive order barring people from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the country

President Donald Trump on Saturday defended his executive order barring people from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the country

A sea of protesters gathered outside of Terminal 4 of JFK after people from Muslim countries were detained at border control

A sea of protesters gathered outside of Terminal 4 of JFK after people from Muslim countries were detained at border control

'We are working out a process to identify these drivers and compensate them pro bono during the next three months to help mitigate some of the financial stress and complications with supporting their families and putting food on the table.'

Kalanick said: 'We will have more details on this in the coming days.' 

He also vowed to talk to Trump during a business advisory group meeting on Friday about how his policies would affect innocent people.

The CEO has come under fire for agreeing to join the group, and told employees just earlier this week that the company would be cooperating with the new administration.

According to Business Insider, he said: 'We'll partner with anyone in the world as long they're about making transportation in cities better, creating job opportunities, making it easier to get around, getting pollution out of the air and traffic off the streets.'