Etsy Users Protest Against ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Merchandise

The Florida GOP is not the only party benefiting from the “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center through merchandise sales. This month, a segment of Etsy buyers and sellers has initiated a boycott against the platform for its decision to permit “Alligator Alcatraz”-themed products.

Currently, this type of merchandise—ranging from T-shirts and hats to mugs, stickers, and patches—is available on numerous e-commerce sites beyond Etsy, including major retailers like Amazon and online marketplaces such as eBay and Shopify.

Etsy users are specifically protesting the company’s choice to feature items that celebrate the controversial ICE detention center in Florida, known for reportedly housing detainees in dire conditions and treating them poorly, as noted by outlets like AP, Newsweek, The Washington Post, CBS, The NYT, and Tampa Bay Times.

Users contend that Etsy’s Discrimination and Hateful Content Policy categorizes “immigration status” as a protected class, indicating that neither behaviors nor products should exhibit or advocate discriminatory attitudes toward these protection categories. Boycotters argue that Etsy is violating its own policy, which explicitly prohibits hate speech and “content that either directly or indirectly includes violent or degrading remarks against the listed protected classes.”

The boycott against Etsy has been broadly organized on social media platforms like Meta’s Threads and Reddit, resulting in thousands of posts and comments. For example, a Threads post concerning the boycott received over 26,500 likes, while a Reddit post questioning Etsy’s decision amassed 69,000 upvotes.

By searching for “Boycott Etsy” on Threads, users discover numerous discussions on the issue, many accompanied by extensive responses. Some Etsy sellers express apprehension regarding potential harm to their businesses, even though they do not sell such items. Others, particularly those opposed to the Trump administration’s policies, contend that the merchandise represents free speech.

Within Reddit’s Etsy Community and beyond, some sellers are contemplating shutting down their shops, while buyers are considering deactivating their accounts. The boycott is also making waves across other social media platforms like X, TikTok, Facebook, and more.

Given the loosely organized nature of the campaign, assessing participation levels is challenging. Data from app intelligence provider Appfigures indicates that Etsy’s iOS app in the U.S. has not seen a drop in rankings, maintaining a position within the top 20 apps in the Shopping category throughout the month.

Etsy is not the only platform profiting from this type of merchandise; several sellers and buyers have pointed out that many major websites have yet to ban “Alligator Alcatraz”-branded products. Among the companies contacted by TechCrunch, only Amazon defended its choice to allow such items, asserting its position on controversial products and confirming adherence to its guidelines.

Etsy did not respond to multiple requests for comment. eBay acknowledged an email inquiry but did not provide a statement. Shopify did not reply, nor did smaller platforms such as Redbubble and Teepublic. (Walmart and Target were found not to host this type of merchandise at this time.)

Additionally, Etsy showcased a few sellers featuring pro-“Alligator Auschwitz” merchandise, in addition to listings advocating for its abolition (as shown in the screenshot below).

E-commerce platforms have encountered similar backlash in the past, often hosting products representing both right-leaning and left-leaning ideologies while maintaining a politically neutral stance.

In more extreme cases, these companies have bowed to customer pressure. Earlier this year, Shopify eliminated a storefront linked to Kanye selling a Swastika T-shirt, although it continues to host other stores with antisemitic content. Previously, Amazon faced criticism for permitting merchandise associated with right-wing militias and QAnon conspiracies, leading to the removal of those items.