Monday, January 26, 2026-Minnesota is facing a powerful and urgent economic protest as hundreds of businesses across the state temporarily shut their doors in solidarity with widespread opposition to federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
The coordinated strike part of a broader “economic blackout” urged residents not to work, shop, or attend school, with organizers saying more than 700 businesses, from small cafés to local cooperatives, participated. Thousands of workers and community members also took to the streets despite sub-zero temperatures, demanding an end to the surge of ICE agents in Minnesota and accountability for recent enforcement actions.
The closures reflect growing backlash to the escalation of federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis and the Twin Cities. Protesters point to aggressive detention tactics they say are destabilizing families, shrinking the workforce, and putting small businesses at risk. Large crowds marched through downtown Minneapolis, emphasizing that immigrant labor is deeply tied to the state’s economy and that intensified enforcement is creating immediate social and economic strain.
The ripple effects are now reaching beyond grassroots activism. Prominent corporate leaders across Minnesota have publicly called for de-escalation, signaling concern about prolonged unrest and economic disruption. At the community level, some businesses used the shutdown to offer free meals or services, reinforcing that the strike is not just a protest but a coordinated economic message. The movement underscores a growing reality: immigration enforcement is no longer a distant policy issue it is directly impacting local economies right now.
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