News
The resistance to President Donald Trump's travel and refugee ban has spread across the country from airport arrival halls to bodegas, and even MoMa. But now that resistance is starting to occupy a more virtual space — or at least storage on your smart phone. That's because some 127 technology companies filed a brief opposing the travel ban, and some of them make apps. There are the companies you've heard of before, whose apps you likely dowloaded already like Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat. But there are plenty more you might want to check out — these 18 apps are resisting the travel ban.
They signed an amicus (friend-of-the-court) brief in support of the case currently in front of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco that challenges the ban. Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed that suit in Seattle last week, and a stay is currently in force nationwide thanks to the federal judge that first heard the case. The appeals court originally upheld the stay, but now Tuesday it has scheduled an hour-long oral argument for the Department of Justice to make its case for upholding the ban.
In the brief, the tech companies made a pretty good case for rescinding the ban:
The Order effects a sudden shift in the rules governing entry into the United States, and is inflicting substantial harm on U.S. companies. It hinders the ability of American companies to attract great talent; increases costs imposed on business; makes it more difficult for American firms to compete in the international marketplace; and gives global enterprises a new, significant incentive to build operations — and hire new employees — outside the United States.
Their words will carry some weight in the courts. Amicus briefs generally do, and the San Francisco setting of the hearing should mean that Silicon Valley has even more influence. While the ban is considered Tuesday, consider checking out some of the resistance apps you don't already have.
1
Ancestry
Given Trump's order bans immigration from several countries and halts the refugee program, it might be time to see when your ancestors arrived to the United States. With the Ancestry app, you can do it from your smartphone or tablet.
2
Asana
Looking to free up some time? With Asana you can track tasks in your team and reduce the need for meetings. That way, you can spend more time out organizing and protesting.
3
CareZone
Track all your healthcare info in this easy app. It even lets you scan in your prescriptions to help you keep track of anything you're taking — and that's on top of all your general health statistics it stores for you. Use it for yourself or an older family member.
4
Fuze
Fuze helps your team collaborate with video, voice, and chat. Maybe use their mobile app to organize your co-workers for the next protest near you.
5
Glassdoor
Make sure you're paid fairly for the job you're doing. It will tell you the market rate of jobs in your city so you know how to negotiate for a raise or starting salary — and you can do it all on the app.
6
Hipmunk
Hipmunk's travel app will help you find the greatest deals for your next trip. Also don't forget that Hipmunk was the travel site that provided data on Trump Hotel's business troubles during the campaign.
7
Indiegogo
You probably know the site, but Indiegogo also has an app. Download it and fund the best resistance short films you can find.
8
Glasses by Warby Parker
You can order your $95 frames via app now. You'll need them to read all the news all the time.
9
Lyft
You've probably heard of Lyft, but just in case they need a special shoutout thanks to their outspoken defiance of the ban. In addition to signing the court brief, they also are donating money to the ACLU. Their main competitor, Uber, is also a signer of the brief.
10
Instacart
Too busy calling your senators to make it to the grocery store? Instacart could be your solution. Get your groceries delivered with their app.
11
Meetup
Don't have your own network of activists to resist Trump? Use Meetup's app to find some likeminded folk.
12
Patreon
Worried about possible cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts? Consider downloading Patreon. It lets you support artists of all kinds so that they can keep on creating.
13
Scopely
Believe it or not, Scopely, the creator of licensed games like Wheel of Fortune and Yahtzee, is also a signer of the brief. So you check out all the games you can play and feel good about it.
14
Strava
Strava tracks your workouts via GPS, lets you analyze them, and then join in their online community to compete, discuss, and learn.
15
SurveyMonkey
Ask your friends when they can meet to make protest signs, and receive push notifications with their responses on SurveyMonkey's app.
16
TaskRabbit
Use TaskRabbit to find the perfect handyman, cleaner, or errand runner to make your life more manageable. Focus on organizing your friends instead.
17
Thumbtack
This app also connects you to the perfect professionals to help you finish your projects. Everything from moving experts to professional trainers.
18
Farmville
Download any of Zynga's games too. The company makes titles like FarmVille 2 and Dawn of Titans. Because even difficult times, you still need to disconnect.
Of course, it's not enough to download apps that are against the travel ban. You also need to tell your senators and representatives to pass a law overriding it. Showing up at protests matters, too, especially when the issue is in front of the courts. But on your commute, or whenever you're most on your phone, using apps that resist can't hurt.
