Hundreds of businesses across Minneapolis are shutting their doors on Friday as part of a massive economic protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in the city. The event, dubbed "The Day of Truth and Freedom," brings together small businesses, unions, faith groups, educators, and community activists to demand an immediate halt to ICE's activities.
At the epicenter of the protests are several prominent targets, including Target Corporation, which has been accused by organizers of violating the Fourth Amendment rights of its employees. The group claims that Customs and Border Patrol agents have entered stores with impunity, often without warrants or proper authorization. A document shared with organizers highlights two incidents in particular: one where agents detained US citizens at a store in Richfield, Minnesota, and another in St Paul, where an agent entered a store with other officials.
The protests are part of a growing nationwide movement against the Trump administration's immigration policies, which have been criticized for targeting marginalized communities. The event has drawn solidarity marches in cities across the US, including New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Salt Lake City.
While some business owners and leaders have expressed concerns about the impact on local businesses, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey acknowledged the pressures faced by immigrant-owned enterprises during this time. "I understand why people are choosing to participate in the January 23 blackout, and I support those decisions," he said in a statement. However, local officials remain mum on whether they will provide any support or accommodations for affected businesses.
The protests have also sparked controversy over the Trump administration's handling of immigration-related issues, with White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson stating that the agency's actions aim to make communities safer and create an environment where businesses can thrive. When questioned about accountability for agents who break the law, she declined to provide further comment.
As the economic blackout unfolds, questions remain about the impact on local economies and how business owners will navigate this complex landscape.
At the epicenter of the protests are several prominent targets, including Target Corporation, which has been accused by organizers of violating the Fourth Amendment rights of its employees. The group claims that Customs and Border Patrol agents have entered stores with impunity, often without warrants or proper authorization. A document shared with organizers highlights two incidents in particular: one where agents detained US citizens at a store in Richfield, Minnesota, and another in St Paul, where an agent entered a store with other officials.
The protests are part of a growing nationwide movement against the Trump administration's immigration policies, which have been criticized for targeting marginalized communities. The event has drawn solidarity marches in cities across the US, including New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Salt Lake City.
While some business owners and leaders have expressed concerns about the impact on local businesses, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey acknowledged the pressures faced by immigrant-owned enterprises during this time. "I understand why people are choosing to participate in the January 23 blackout, and I support those decisions," he said in a statement. However, local officials remain mum on whether they will provide any support or accommodations for affected businesses.
The protests have also sparked controversy over the Trump administration's handling of immigration-related issues, with White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson stating that the agency's actions aim to make communities safer and create an environment where businesses can thrive. When questioned about accountability for agents who break the law, she declined to provide further comment.
As the economic blackout unfolds, questions remain about the impact on local economies and how business owners will navigate this complex landscape.
. As a visual thinker 
, I drew a simple diagram to represent my thoughts:
. ICE actions can be really hurtful and unfair 
. But shutting down businesses doesn't feel like a constructive solution 
. It's like taking away the means to survive 
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. I'm all for speaking out against injustice, but isn't there a better way to do it without taking a stand on Main St.? The mayor's got his concerns, and I don't blame him... still, gotta wonder what the fallout's gonna look like when this whole thing blows over 
. And yeah, the impact on local businesses is gonna be huge 
. I hope some of the business owners can make it through this without too much trouble 
. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we've had enough of ICE's BS" 
. I get why some business owners are worried about the impact on local economies, but I think it's a necessary stand for solidarity and justice 
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. If agents can just walk into stores without warrants or proper authorization, that's some serious red flag stuff 
. The protests are part of a growing movement against the Trump administration's immigration policies, and I'm all about amplifying marginalized voices 
.
, but we need more concrete actions from local officials to help these businesses weather the storm 
. The White House spokesperson's flimsy excuse about making communities safer is just a cop-out 
!
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. I mean, we know immigration policies have been a total mess since the Trump admin took office 
. But to see so many communities coming together like this? It's honestly beautiful 
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. So let's keep the energy going, Minneapolis!
. I hope some of these business owners can find a way to make it work, maybe explore new partnerships or get creative with their marketing strategies 
. And who knows, this could be a chance for us to rethink what kind of community we want to build here 
. Can't we just have a constructive convo about this instead of all the drama? Maybe some businesses could even offer discounts or something to help alleviate the economic hit 
This is just getting outta hand... thousands of people losing their jobs, credit score affected, and nobody knows what's gonna happen next 
. How's that gonna sit with those $2,000 minimum wage workers who are already struggling to make ends meet 
. This isn't just a protest, it's a disaster waiting to happen 
OMG u gotta hear wut's goin down in Minneapolis!!!! 
Hundreds of bizznesesssss are closin their doors 4real 2day as part of dis protest!!! 
it's crazy how one incident can spark a whole movement but at the same time i get why people wanna stand up against the Trump admin's immigration policies especially when they're targeting marginalized communities 
. It's like, businesses just shutting down to make a statement... I remember when the students at UC Berkeley went on strike over tuition fees 
. They were saying something similar about corporations having too much influence. Now it's all about targeting ICE and its practices