Minnesota General Strike: Tens of Thousands March Against ICE Raids

"ICE Out" Movement in Minnesota

• ❄️ Tens of thousands braved sub-zero temperatures in Minneapolis for a massive march demanding "ICE out" of Minnesota.
• ✊ The demonstration, organized by faith and labor leaders, was the largest single-day action in an ongoing protest against federal immigration enforcement.
• 📣 Chants of "ICE OUT" echoed through downtown as participants voiced anger and frustration over federal actions.

Community Fear and Solidarity

• 🏫 Teachers reported students experiencing palpable fear, with one student's ICE encounter during online class highlighting the tangible threat.
• 🤝 The movement emphasized community self-defense, with participants stating, "We are the only ones out here doing it for each other."
• 🗣️ Speakers stressed the urgency of speaking out, stating, "Standing back and not doing anything doesn't help with the situation."

Economic Blackout and Business Support

• 🚫 Over 700 businesses reportedly closed in solidarity, creating an "economic blackout" or general strike.
• ☕ Businesses like Insight Brewing provided community support, offering donations, snacks, and a space for volunteers.
• ✈️ Demonstrators targeted corporations supporting ICE, protesting deportation flights at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport.

Protests Against Federal Actions

• ⚖️ Participants, including members of the Mien community, expressed fear of being targeted regardless of citizenship status, with assumptions of criminality being made.
• 💔 The protest aimed to counter the perceived revocation of safety and freedom promised to refugees and immigrants.
• ✊ Faith leaders shared stories of airport workers arrested by ICE and highlighted the union's report of at least 12 members being detained.

Calls for Unity and Justice

• 📢 Speakers, including union presidents and faith leaders, urged continued unity across communities and organizations to counter authoritarian control.
• 🕊️ The rally honored individuals who died in ICE custody, including Victor Manuel Diaz and Renee Mlin, emphasizing the human cost of federal actions.
• ✊ The movement positioned itself as a stand against corporations and political figures enabling what they described as fascism.