Thousands of Minnesotans are braving the chill to make their voices heard, joining a statewide strike against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the state. On a day when temperatures plummeted below 20 degrees, protesters took to the streets, calling for an end to ICE's presence in Minnesota and an investigation into the killing of Renee Nicole Good.
Faith leaders, labor unions, and civic organizations are among those participating in "ICE Out of Minnesota: Day of Truth and Freedom," a protest that has seen over 200 businesses shut down statewide. Organizers expect nearly 700 more to join in, citing an economic blackout as part of the movement. Protesters, including those who took to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Friday morning, are chanting anti-ICE slogans and waving signs demanding justice for Good.
"We're asking people to march," said Emilia González Avalos with UNIDOS Minnesota. "We're asking people to boycott today." The group is also urging participants to get trained as legal observers. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, described ICE's tactics as "intimidation" rather than focused on immigration issues.
"It's not about immigration," Weingarten told Salon. "It's about intimidation. They're using more and more abusive tactics to try to provoke communities to erupt." The labor leader emphasized the importance of protecting fundamental freedoms.
Meanwhile, protesters are expressing outrage at ICE officers, with some referring to them as "criminal thugs" and others describing the actions of the Trump administration as a threat to democracy. A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security described the protests as "beyond insane," but it's unclear what specific concerns they have about the labor unions' stance on public safety.
As the day unfolds, protesters are continuing to make their voices heard in cities across Minnesota. The state is bracing for widespread disruptions, and the movement has drawn attention from across the country. It remains to be seen how the protests will play out, but one thing is clear: thousands of Minnesotans are ready to take a stand against what they see as a threat to their community's values and freedoms.
Faith leaders, labor unions, and civic organizations are among those participating in "ICE Out of Minnesota: Day of Truth and Freedom," a protest that has seen over 200 businesses shut down statewide. Organizers expect nearly 700 more to join in, citing an economic blackout as part of the movement. Protesters, including those who took to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Friday morning, are chanting anti-ICE slogans and waving signs demanding justice for Good.
"We're asking people to march," said Emilia González Avalos with UNIDOS Minnesota. "We're asking people to boycott today." The group is also urging participants to get trained as legal observers. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, described ICE's tactics as "intimidation" rather than focused on immigration issues.
"It's not about immigration," Weingarten told Salon. "It's about intimidation. They're using more and more abusive tactics to try to provoke communities to erupt." The labor leader emphasized the importance of protecting fundamental freedoms.
Meanwhile, protesters are expressing outrage at ICE officers, with some referring to them as "criminal thugs" and others describing the actions of the Trump administration as a threat to democracy. A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security described the protests as "beyond insane," but it's unclear what specific concerns they have about the labor unions' stance on public safety.
As the day unfolds, protesters are continuing to make their voices heard in cities across Minnesota. The state is bracing for widespread disruptions, and the movement has drawn attention from across the country. It remains to be seen how the protests will play out, but one thing is clear: thousands of Minnesotans are ready to take a stand against what they see as a threat to their community's values and freedoms.
it's crazy to think that 200+ businesses just shut down in MN because people are fed up with ICE's presence 
meanwhile, the temps are like -20°F 
still, nobody seems to be afraid to speak out for justice 
Renee Nicole Good's murder is a huge part of this and it's about time someone held those in power accountable 
the fact that the DHS thinks these protests are "beyond insane" just shows how out of touch they are 
all I know is that if people are willing to risk their safety for what they believe in, we gotta respect that 
this is so inspiring to see all these minnesotans standing up for justice & human rights. it's not just about immigration, it's about protecting our fundamental freedoms from being trampled upon. i love how the american federation of teachers is speaking out against ice's tactics - intimidation is never okay! 
and i'm so proud of all these brave people who are willing to take a stand & boycott businesses that aren't supporting their cause. it's amazing what can be achieved when we come together as one community 
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so I'm thinking like we need to rethink our immigration system in the US, right? 
it feels like ICE is more focused on scaring people than actually helping them. I mean, who needs that kind of stress in their lives? 
and it's not just about the immigrants themselves, but also the communities they live in. We're talking about whole neighborhoods being affected by these tactics.
I'm glad to see labor unions like the American Federation of Teachers speaking out against this. They're not just talking about immigration, they're talking about human rights and dignity. 
an economic blackout is a pretty powerful tool too. If businesses are willing to join in, that shows there's widespread support for change. Let's hope this movement keeps building momentum and leads to real change! 
i mean, 200+ businesses shutting down is wild. the thing that got me though was when randi weingarten said that ice's tactics are all about intimidation not actual immigration issues. like, who else gets treated like this by the government? 
i'm low-key scared for our country's values rn 
. They're trying to create chaos and scare people into compliance, but it's not gonna work. The fact that labor unions are saying it's about intimidation tactics instead of immigration issues? That's some shady stuff right there 
. And what's up with DHS calling the protests "beyond insane"? Sounds like they're just trying to gaslight us 
. I'm all for people making their voices heard, but this feels like a bigger operation than just one state 
. Maybe there's more going on here than we know?
. And honestly, I think it's time we started talking about the impact of these "abusive tactics" 
), I believe that freedom and justice should be at the forefront of everything we do. Kudos to these protesters for taking a stand! 
I'm soooo not surprised to see people taking a stand against ICE in Minnesota 
. And I'm loving how the labor unions are bringing in legal observers to keep things peaceful and safe for everyone involved 
anyway i feel so much love for these protesters marchin for justice 4 reneé nicole good & fightin against intimidation tactics by ice they got faith leaders, labor unions & civic orgs all supportin them 
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anyway I'm kinda proud of the Minnesotans for standing up for what they believe in even if it means facing some harsh weather conditions 
It's low-key crazy how chill it is outside & still thousands of us r out here protesting 
We need to hold those in power accountable, especially when it comes to justice for Renee Nicole Good. It's time to put an end to the intimidation tactics & show that we won't be silenced 
We're not just protesting against ICE, we're fighting for what's right – equality, justice, and freedom for all!