Thousands of protesters marched through Minneapolis as hundreds of businesses shut down, marking Minnesota’s largest show of opposition yet to ICE operations under the Trump administration.
WEBDESK – Act Global Media – Jan. 23, 2026
Thousands of Minnesotans marched through downtown Minneapolis on Friday, braving subzero temperatures in a sweeping protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, as hundreds of businesses, schools, and cultural institutions closed in solidarity.
The coordinated action, organized as part of a statewide “ICE Out!” strike, marked Minnesota’s largest show of opposition yet to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement. Faith leaders, labor unions, and community groups urged residents to skip work, school, and shopping to spotlight what they described as federal overreach and militarized crackdowns.
Marchers moved from Commons Park to the Target Center, chanting “ICE out!” and calling for federal immigration agents to leave the state. Protesters said the goal was to demonstrate economic and civic pressure alongside mass mobilization.
Anger has intensified following the fatal shooting of Renée Good, a Minnesota mother killed by an ICE officer earlier this month, an incident that sparked daily demonstrations across the state. Activists also cited controversial arrests during enforcement operations, including cases involving children, as a catalyst for the mass turnout.
As part of the day of action, about 100 clergy members were arrested during a peaceful sit-in at Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport, where they urged airlines to stop cooperating with deportation flights.
Restaurants, museums, and independent shops across Minnesota closed their doors, creating a rare, coordinated economic blackout tied to immigration policy. Organizers said the shutdowns and marches reflected deep community solidarity and resistance.
Despite the extreme cold and large crowds, the demonstrations remained largely peaceful. With protests continuing, Minnesota has emerged as a focal point in the national debate over immigration enforcement and civil liberties.
Sources: Reuters & AP
