Thousands of protesters marched through the cold streets of Minneapolis on Friday, demanding an end to President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in the city. The demonstration, labeled as a general strike by organizers, drew an estimated 50,000 participants, although official confirmation from Minneapolis police was not available.
The protesters, including clergy members, called for accountability in the case of Renee Good, a U.S. citizen fatally shot by an ICE agent during an incident earlier in the month. Despite police orders to clear the road, many demonstrators were arrested without resistance and taken into custody.
Businesses across Minnesota closed for the day in solidarity with the protests, with workers joining the marches against ICE actions in the region. The demonstrators gathered at the Target Center after the street protests, highlighting the community’s opposition to the federal government’s increased enforcement measures.
Community leaders, including Indigenous representatives and labor activists, spoke out against ICE’s tactics and urged a thorough investigation into Good’s shooting. The deployment of federal law enforcement officers has heightened tensions in Democratic-led cities and states, leading to increased polarization among Americans.
The silence of major Minnesota corporations, including Target and UnitedHealth, on the immigration raids and ICE detainments has drawn criticism from activists and lawmakers. Despite calls for statements regarding employee guidance in ICE encounters, these companies have refrained from commenting on the issue.
The protests, which aimed to showcase opposition to ICE’s actions in the state, emphasized the need for solidarity and action to address the challenges facing immigrant communities in Minnesota.