Thousands of Minnesotans took to the streets on Friday, braving temperatures plummeting to just below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, in a statewide strike against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The "ICE Out of Minnesota: Day of Truth and Freedom" protests, which began with a 2 p.m. CST march in Minneapolis, featured faith leaders, labor unions, and civic leaders alongside thousands of protesters demanding ICE's removal from the state.
Organizers, including those from UNIDOS Minnesota, an organizing group for the event, were undeterred by the harsh weather conditions. "We're asking people to march, boycott today, and get trained as legal observers," Emilia González Avalos told CNN. The strike has already resulted in over 200 businesses shutting down across the state, with nearly 700 more expected to follow.
Protesters gathered outside the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, chanting anti-ICE slogans and carrying signs calling for justice for Renee Nicole Good, whose killing is believed to be linked to ICE operations. The demonstrations have drawn support from prominent figures, including Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, who described ICE's tactics as "intimidation" rather than immigration enforcement.
Weingarten told Salon that ICE's actions are aimed at provoking communities and justifying further militarization under the guise of combating immigration. "We're fighting for our fundamental freedoms," she said. Protesters have been vocal in their criticism, with some likening ICE operations to a fascist regime and labeling officers as "criminal thugs."
The Department of Homeland Security has called the protests "beyond insane," but organizers remain resolute. As one protester told JT Cestkowski, a reporter for Status Coup News, "These are the criminals these labor bosses are trying to protect." The nationwide strike is a testament to the growing resistance against ICE's aggressive tactics and the administration's handling of immigration policies.
Organizers, including those from UNIDOS Minnesota, an organizing group for the event, were undeterred by the harsh weather conditions. "We're asking people to march, boycott today, and get trained as legal observers," Emilia González Avalos told CNN. The strike has already resulted in over 200 businesses shutting down across the state, with nearly 700 more expected to follow.
Protesters gathered outside the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, chanting anti-ICE slogans and carrying signs calling for justice for Renee Nicole Good, whose killing is believed to be linked to ICE operations. The demonstrations have drawn support from prominent figures, including Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, who described ICE's tactics as "intimidation" rather than immigration enforcement.
Weingarten told Salon that ICE's actions are aimed at provoking communities and justifying further militarization under the guise of combating immigration. "We're fighting for our fundamental freedoms," she said. Protesters have been vocal in their criticism, with some likening ICE operations to a fascist regime and labeling officers as "criminal thugs."
The Department of Homeland Security has called the protests "beyond insane," but organizers remain resolute. As one protester told JT Cestkowski, a reporter for Status Coup News, "These are the criminals these labor bosses are trying to protect." The nationwide strike is a testament to the growing resistance against ICE's aggressive tactics and the administration's handling of immigration policies.
. What's goin' on with these protests, though? It feels like a whole lotta people are had enough with ICE's shenanigans. I mean, I know we gotta be all about the human rights and whatnot, but can't they just chill out a bit? Like, I get it, Renee Nicole Good's death is super tragic and all that 
.
Come on, let's not jump to conclusions, people! We gotta have a calm, rational discussion about this stuff instead of just throwin' around labels like it's goin' outta style.
I think there's more nuance to this issue than people are givin' credit for. We gotta find a way to work together and address these problems without demonizin' certain groups of people 
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, but can we please just take a deep breath and try to have some sense? 
. I mean, 200 businesses shutting down? That's massive! And to think they're fighting for justice for Renee Nicole Good... poor girl 
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. The way they're treating these immigrants... it's just not right.
. I mean, if people are that passionate about something, you've got to listen and respect their opinion. And I think this nationwide strike is a huge testament to that 
. I mean, braving temps like that for a cause is no joke, and it shows people are really invested in making their voices heard. It's awesome to see faith leaders, labor unions, and civic leaders coming together like this - solidarity is everything when it comes to creating change 
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. It's clear that people are willing to take a stand and support each other in the face of injustice. The Department of Homeland Security might think it's "beyond insane" but to me, it looks like people are rising up and demanding their rights 
. It takes courage to speak truth to power, especially when it comes to sensitive issues like immigration. Let's keep amplifying these voices and supporting each other in our pursuit of justice and freedom 
.
ugh i just can't even right now seeing all these ppl standin up 4 what's rite its like they say we r livin in a dictatorship but wut if thats true 
ICE is a plague on our communities & we need to bring it down. these ppl rnt just marchin 4 nothin they r demandin justice & freedom 4 every1 
), but what I do know is that if these businesses are getting shut down and people are willing to risk their own safety for a cause they believe in, then something's gotta change. And honestly, I think this whole thing is giving me hope for the future 
. Maybe we're not as divided as we thought we were.
It's like, we're not just fighting for someone's freedom, we're fighting for our own sense of humanity.
It's like, where did that trust go? And why is it so hard to have an honest conversation about immigration?
It's like, the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know...
Come on, people! Let's have a respectful conversation about immigration reform instead of resorting to hyperbole.
️.
and whats with all the hate for labor bosses now? isn't their job to protect workers too? 
anyway, this nationwide strike is def a sign of resistance against ice's tactics...