Minnesota Economic Strike Hits Workplaces, Schools, and Shops in Protest of ICE Enforcement

 

A statewide economic strike and protest unfolded in Minnesota on Friday, January 23, 2026, as residents, labor unions, faith leaders, and local businesses took part in an unprecedented coordinated action against a surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity across the state. The movement — branded “ICE Out of Minnesota: Day of Truth and Freedom” — called for Minnesotans to abstain from work, school, and shopping in a dramatic expression of dissent against federal immigration enforcement and allegations of civil rights violations.

Tensions in Minnesota escalated earlier in January after federal ICE operations intensified under the Trump administration’s Operation Metro Surge, leading to thousands of arrests and reports of controversial enforcement tactics. The situation was further inflamed by the fatal shooting of Renée Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident who was killed by a federal immigration officer earlier in the month — an action that drew national attention, public scrutiny, and legal challenges.

Community leaders, civil liberties groups, and local government officials have raised concerns about:

• Alleged racial profiling and indiscriminate targeting by immigration authorities

• Detentions of individuals with legal status or no criminal record

• Reports of aggressive tactics and use of force by federal agents

• Fear and disruption within immigrant and broader communities across Minnesota

The economic strike was planned as both a symbolic and practical demonstration of opposition to these actions, with organizers hoping that a collective halt in economic activity would amplify local and national pressure on enforcement agencies and policymakers.

Across the Twin Cities and beyond, participating residents stayed home from work, schools altered schedules, and more than 700 local businesses pledged to close or adjust operations in solidarity. Hundreds of additional establishments supported the protest by offering community resources such as food, warm spaces, or donated revenue to support local causes.

Protesters marched through downtown Minneapolis despite subzero temperatures, culminating in a planned rally and demonstration. Organizers told participants that staying home and participating in collective action — rather than traditional economic activity — was intended to convey the seriousness and urgency of community concerns.

Union groups, including the Minnesota AFL-CIO and the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, backed the strike. Labor leaders framed the action not merely as a protest against immigration enforcement but as a defense of civil rights, worker protections, and community safety.

The protest’s organizers laid out clear demands that helped unify diverse groups around a common cause:

• Withdrawal of ICE enforcement operations from Minnesota

• Accountability and justice in the case of Renée Good’s killing

• No additional federal funding for ICE

• Reviews of oversight and due process protections for residents affected by immigration enforcement

Participants included union members, immigrant rights advocates, faith groups, community organizers, local residents, and civic leaders, all asserting that the economic strike represented a peaceful yet powerful demonstration of collective concern.

Federal authorities, including the Department of Homeland Security, defended ICE’s actions as legitimate efforts to enforce immigration law and maintain public safety, framing criticism as mischaracterization. White House and DHS spokespeople described the enforcement surge as targeting criminal activity in coordination with local law enforcement, though critics dispute these claims and point to data suggesting many individuals affected had no criminal backgrounds.

Local government officials were divided. Some city councils and labor federations openly endorsed the economic strike, while others acknowledged legal limitations on formal work stoppages, especially for unionized employees with contractual obligations.