Minnesota Mobilizes for Statewide Strike Against ICE Actions

In a significant display of solidarity, labor unions, faith leaders, community organizations, and various businesses in Minnesota are organizing a statewide strike on January 19, 2024. This action, dubbed “ICE Out of Minnesota: Day of Truth & Freedom,” is in response to ongoing federal immigration enforcement actions and the recent killing of legal observer Renee Good by agent Jonathan Ross. Participants are urged to refrain from work, school, and shopping, with the exception of essential services.

Demands for Justice and Accountability

The day of action aims to unite diverse groups in advocating for several specific demands. Key among them is the immediate withdrawal of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from Minnesota. Organizers are also calling for accountability for Ross, who they allege unlawfully killed Good, alongside a halt to federal funding for ICE in the upcoming congressional budget. Additional requests include a comprehensive investigation into ICE’s practices concerning human and constitutional rights violations.

Notably, over 50 organizations are backing this initiative, including the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, the Minnesota AFL-CIO, and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Chris Shields, communications director for the Minnesota AFL-CIO, clarified that while the organization does not officially call for workers to strike, individuals are encouraged to participate in the day by reducing their economic activity.

As of Wednesday, more than 260 businesses have committed to closing for the day, as reported by local news outlet Bring Me The News. This includes notable companies like the Linden Hills Wedge Co-op and the Seward Community Co-op, which will provide paid leave for their employees to participate in the rally.

Community Response and Solidarity

Many businesses are closing voluntarily to support their employees in this action. Kathryn Hoffman, CEO of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA), announced her nonprofit will shut down operations for the day, encouraging staff to engage in community care rather than work. Hoffman emphasized the detrimental impact that ICE’s actions have on both community organizations and the rule of law, stating, “When there’s a lack of respect for the rule of law, it’s harmful to our work and it’s harmful to democracy.”

The rally is scheduled to begin at 14:00 Central Time in downtown Minneapolis. Participants are preparing despite harsh weather conditions, with temperatures expected to drop as low as -22 degrees Celsius. Students and community members are making arrangements to ensure everyone is adequately prepared for the cold.

Actions are not limited to Minnesota; solidarity rallies are planned in cities across the United States, including New York, Boston, and Los Angeles. For instance, unions in New York are organizing a mass rally in Manhattan on January 23, 2024, featuring organizations like 1199SEIU and the United Federation of Teachers.

Activists view this collective action as a crucial step towards broader labor movements. Elias Holtz, an organizer with the Writers Guild of America East, remarked on the potential impact of this strike in shaping future actions. He stated, “Now is the moment where people are looking for what they can do to stand up to Trump, to stop these attacks.”

Quinlan Bock, a produce stocker at the Wedge Co-Op, voiced strong support for the strike, emphasizing its importance for workers’ rights and community solidarity. He expressed hope that this would pave the way for more significant actions, including a general strike proposed for May 1, 2028, by the United Auto Workers.

As Minnesota prepares for this pivotal day of action, the broader implications for labor solidarity and community activism are becoming increasingly evident. The strike represents not only a protest against ICE but also a call for unity across various sectors in the face of governmental overreach.