Etsy Boycott: Users Protest 'Alligator Alcatraz' Products

Controversy Surrounds “Alligator Alcatraz” Merchandise on Etsy

The Florida GOP is not the sole entity benefiting from the sale of items related to the detention center nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz.” A segment of Etsy’s user base, encompassing both buyers and sellers, initiated a boycott of the online marketplace this month. This action stemmed from the platform’s decision to permit the listing of merchandise branded with the “Alligator Alcatraz” name.

Widespread Availability of the Merchandise

Currently, products such as T-shirts, hats, mugs, stickers, patches, and various other items bearing the “Alligator Alcatraz” branding are available across numerous e-commerce platforms. These include major retailers like Amazon, online marketplaces such as eBay, and storefront providers like Shopify.

Etsy Users Voice Concerns

Etsy users are particularly concerned with the company’s choice to allow this merchandise. The items are seen as celebrating a controversial ICE detention center in Florida, where detainees are reportedly held in substandard conditions and subjected to harsh treatment, as reported by news organizations including the AP, Newsweek, The Washington Post, CBS, The NYT, and the Tampa Bay Times.

Policy Violation Allegations

Boycotters argue that Etsy’s actions are a direct violation of its own published Discrimination and Hateful Content Policy. This policy designates “immigration status” as a protected class, prohibiting discriminatory behavior or merchandise targeting individuals based on this characteristic.

The policy explicitly states that prohibited content includes not only overt hate speech, but also “content which directly or indirectly contains violent or degrading commentary against protected classes.”

Social Media Mobilization

The boycott has been primarily organized through social media platforms like Threads and Reddit. Thousands of posts and comments demonstrate widespread discussion and support for the movement. A single post on Threads referencing the boycott garnered over 26,500 likes, while a Reddit post questioning Etsy’s decision received 69,000 upvotes.

Debate and Concerns Among Users

A search for “Boycott Etsy” on Threads reveals extensive debate surrounding the issue. Many posts contain numerous replies, with some Etsy sellers expressing worry about potential negative impacts on their businesses, even if they do not sell the controversial merchandise.

Conversely, some individuals, even those disagreeing with the Trump administration’s policies, maintain that the merchandise is protected under free speech principles.

Impact on the Etsy Community

On Reddit’s Etsy Community and other online forums, sellers participating in the boycott are threatening to close their shops, and buyers are announcing their intention to deactivate their accounts. References to the boycott are also circulating on platforms like X, TikTok, and Facebook.

Limited Measurable Impact Thus Far

Due to the decentralized nature of the boycott, quantifying participation levels remains challenging. Appfigures data indicates that Etsy’s iOS app ranking in the U.S. has not yet been affected, remaining within the top 20 apps in the Shopping category throughout the month.

Other Platforms and Responses

Etsy is not the only platform offering this type of merchandise, a point raised by both sellers and buyers. TechCrunch contacted several major selling platforms, and only Amazon offered a defense of its decision to host the items, citing its policy regarding controversial products and content. Amazon stated the “Alligator Alcatraz” merchandise complied with its guidelines.

Etsy did not respond to repeated requests for comment. eBay provided a response but did not issue a statement. Shopify, Redbubble, and TeePublic also did not respond. Walmart and Target were not found to be hosting the merchandise, with Walmart stating it has clear guidelines for prohibited products and promptly removes non-compliant items.

Precedent and Platform Responses

E-commerce platforms have previously navigated similar situations, often hosting products representing diverse political viewpoints without taking a firm stance. However, in certain instances, companies have yielded to customer pressure.

For example, Shopify removed a storefront run by Kanye West after it offered a swastika T-shirt, although it continued to host other stores with antisemitic content. Amazon also faced criticism for hosting merchandise related to right-wing militias and QAnon conspiracies, ultimately removing those products.