Minnesota Businesses Close in Statewide Protest Against ICE Operations
Hundreds of Minnesota businesses closed on Friday in a coordinated protest against intensified ICE enforcement actions, culminating in a downtown Minneapolis march.
On Friday, January 23, 2026, hundreds of businesses across Minnesota closed their doors in a coordinated protest against intensified Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the state. The "ICE Out of MN: Day of Truth and Freedom" called on residents to refrain from work, school, and shopping, culminating in a 2 p.m. march in downtown Minneapolis.
The protest was organized by a coalition of over 100 groups, including labor unions, faith leaders, and community organizations. More than 700 businesses participated, ranging from small local shops to major cultural institutions like the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
The demonstrations were sparked by the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE officer on January 7, 2026, which led to daily protests in the Twin Cities. Organizers emphasized the urgency of resisting what they describe as federal overreach, despite subzero temperatures.
In response to the planned protest, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated,
The protest took place amid a severe winter storm, but organizers emphasized the urgency of resisting what they describe as federal overreach.
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