Minnesota Businesses Stand in Solidarity: Black-Owned Businesses Join Strike Against ICE
Minneapolis, MN – A wave of economic resistance swept across Minnesota on Friday as hundreds of businesses, including numerous Black-owned and Black-led establishments, participated in a statewide general strike. The demonstration aimed to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and advocate for immigrant rights. Residents were urged to refrain from shopping, working, or attending school as a show of solidarity.
Economic Power as Protest
The strike saw businesses across the state temporarily close their doors, utilizing economic power as a form of protest. Nicole Nfonoyim-Hara, owner and founder of Griot Arts in Rochester, emphasized the importance of collective action. “We cannot continue to act like any of this is normal,” she stated. “Being able to have a collective call and show our collective power in the face of state-sanctioned violence is one of the most powerful things we can do right now.” Griot Arts, a bookstore, art gallery, and community space, remained closed for the day, demonstrating a commitment to the cause. Nfonoyim-Hara highlighted that every business possesses influence and the ability to withhold contribution from the economy.
A Moment of Reckoning and Community Solidarity
Nfonoyim-Hara, reflecting on her role as a Black business owner, underscored the lineage of solidarity and community that informs her decisions. “This is a moment of reckoning,” she explained. “Systems want us participating and not thinking about the violence that’s happening or the ways our communities are living in fear.”
Rise & Remember Pauses Services to Stand in Solidarity
Rise & Remember, an organization born from the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing, also joined the strike. The organization, which stewards George Floyd Square and offers guided visits, paused its services to demonstrate solidarity with affected communities. Jeanelle Austin, Executive Director, declared the action a civil rights and humanitarian issue. “Our organization was birthed out of a justice movement, so justice is at the core of what we do,” she said. Austin emphasized the importance of physical presence and peaceful protest to enact change.
Beyond the Shutdown: Continued Advocacy and Community Support
While businesses closed their doors, organizers and participants remained active in advocating for change. Austin plans to protest alongside community members, while Nfonoyim-Hara intends to connect people with resources, contact members of Congress, and attend rallies. Griot Arts will host a poetry gathering in the evening, providing a space for reflection and community connection.
Demands for ICE Reform
Organizations like ICE Out of MN are calling for comprehensive reform, including the removal of ICE from the state, legal accountability for the ICE agent involved in the death of Renee Good, an investigation into alleged constitutional violations, an end to increased federal funding for ICE, and the severing of economic partnerships with the agency.
Peaceful Protest in Minneapolis
A peaceful march was scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday in downtown Minneapolis, further amplifying the voices of those demanding justice and an end to ICE operations in Minnesota. The strike represents a powerful display of community solidarity and a commitment to advocating for immigrant rights and systemic change.
