Montreal Group Launches Campaign in Times Square for U.S. Foreign Aid

A Montreal-based organization advocating for democracy and digital rights has taken its campaign to New York’s Times Square, calling on Americans to oppose cuts to foreign aid. The group, known as eQualitie, is utilizing a prominent digital billboard to deliver its message over a 90-day period, reaching audiences in the heart of Manhattan.

The billboard features a 10-second video urging viewers to “support foreign aid,” highlighting that “instability abroad puts American jobs and safety at risk.” This statement emphasizes that foreign aid contributes to building “a stronger America.” According to Alex Dalessio, the executive director of eQualitie, the campaign’s aim is to provoke thought regarding the implications of reduced U.S. foreign aid, which has historically supported the advancement of democratic values worldwide.

Dalessio stressed that the campaign is not specifically targeting the administration of former President Donald Trump, noting that cuts to foreign aid are not solely an American issue, as several European countries are also scaling back their contributions. “Regardless of who made these changes to foreign aid, we would have made this message,” he stated, underscoring the organization’s commitment to a politically neutral stance.

In 2020, President Trump assigned billionaire Elon Musk to oversee significant reductions at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), resulting in an 83% cut to its programs and substantial layoffs. These reductions have led to severe consequences, including the interruption of medical trials, increased hunger in refugee camps, and decreased access to vital health services in poorer nations.

Dalessio mentioned that while the impact of these cuts on political repression abroad remains unclear, the urgency for action is evident. “We felt to some extent like there were a lot of articles about it, but there wasn’t a lot of action being taken,” he remarked.

The partnership between eQualitie and the American branch of Transparency International aims to address these issues collaboratively. Transparency International focuses on combating corruption and assessing governance in various countries, while eQualitie is dedicated to empowering individuals in oppressive regimes to utilize technology for accountability and advocacy.

Dalessio pointed out that authoritarian regimes are increasingly employing technology to surveil citizens and control information, which is becoming a global norm. “This is certainly becoming normalized,” he added, referring to the trend observed across multiple continents.

Looking forward, Dalessio expressed hope for a reversal of the cuts to foreign aid and emphasized the importance of Canadian support for similar initiatives. He suggested that foreign aid spending could potentially count towards NATO’s military spending targets, as instability often leads to costly conflicts. The ongoing situation in the U.S. has significant implications for democracy on a global scale, according to Dalessio.

As the campaign continues in Times Square, eQualitie remains committed to raising awareness and fostering dialogue about the crucial role of foreign aid in supporting democracies around the world.

This report was first published on July 25, 2025, by The Canadian Press.