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Wicked Blue

(8,544 posts)
Wed Jan 21, 2026, 03:33 PM 5 hrs ago

Economic Blackout Planned To Protest ICE's 'Complete Disaster' In Minnesota

Source: HuffPost

Labor unions in the Twin Cities are urging people not to work or shop on Friday and instead gather to protest President Donald Trump’s deportation campaign, a sign of the organized resistance sprouting up as immigration agents continue to carry out raids and confront demonstrators in Minnesota.

Labor groups hope a one-day economic blackout will increase protest turnout and send a message to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that the agency isn’t welcome in the Minneapolis area.

“Any self-respecting union has to be stepping up and doing everything it can around this,” said Kieran Knutson, president of Communications Workers of America Local 7250, one of several local labor groups backing the action.

The White House has poured thousands of officers from the Department of Homeland Security into Minnesota in recent weeks, turning the state into ground zero for Trump’s immigration crackdown. Demonstrators have taken to the streets daily to protest the administration’s harsh tactics, including the killing of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three who was shot by an ICE agent while in her car earlier this month.

Read more: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/economic-blackout-ice-minneapolis_n_69712106e4b0b37f462230fa?origin=home-latest-news-unit

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Blue Owl

(58,296 posts)
1. The illegal invasion by tRump's KKK goon squad (posing as "immigration" officers)...
Wed Jan 21, 2026, 03:40 PM
5 hrs ago

Has severely hampered Minnesota's resources -- the system is overwhelmed by 911 calls and the impact it is having on the local schools, businesses, and civic organizations is extremely disruptive of our day-to-day operations, and completely unnecessary.

FUCK OFF TRUMP you goddamned rapist.

Moostache

(11,033 posts)
3. BEAUTIFUL! I want to see a NATIONAL DAY of disobedience... a GENERAL STRIKE
Wed Jan 21, 2026, 03:44 PM
5 hrs ago

No work.
No protests.
No speeches.
No signs.
No interviews.
NOTHING...

No TV watching.
No participating in interviews.
NOTHING...

Just immense gatherings of people SITTING DOWN and DOING NOTHING.
No buying.
No selling.
No travelling.
No working.
No bullshit.

A total and complete stoppage of everyday life for at least a few hours - and for an entire day of business receipts or economic activity. Just basically take our collective ball and instead of going home, sitting down with it and refusing to participate at all.

We are living in a rigged system of abuse. We are watching our privileges be reduced ("rights" cannot be taken away or given away by the SCOTUS... "privileges" CAN - once again George Carlin was right about everything).


progree

(12,768 posts)
5. No big temptation for me to shop: Minneapolis windchills: 8AM: MINUS 36, NOON: MINUS 30 on Friday
Wed Jan 21, 2026, 04:08 PM
5 hrs ago

the ordinary thermometer temperatures forecast are MINUS 17 and MINUS 12, but the 9 mph wind makes it feel like MINUS 36 and MINUS 30.

progree

(12,768 posts)
6. How the ICE crackdown is impacting Minnesota's economy, CBS Minnesota, 1/20/26
Wed Jan 21, 2026, 04:18 PM
5 hrs ago
Dr. Bruce Corrie focuses his research on local Native American and immigrant economics in Minnesota.

Corrie says even a month can make a difference in the economy.

"We are seeing anecdotal evidence around us [all the Latino and Somali/East African shops and restaurants closed or very low customer levels], now you multiply that and amplify that, you're going to see it in property markets and people not being able to make rent," he said. "All of that, if it amplifies, is going to put us back."'

Corrie says compared to other states, Minnesota is especially dependent on immigrants. According to the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, nearly 60% of the state's total labor force and employment growth came from foreign-born workers from 2019 to 2023

"You're going to have a tough time finding an Uber ride to the airport, a long wait at the restaurant," he said. "You are going to find Grandma in the nursing home needing attention."

MORE: https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-ice-economic-impact-operation-metro-surge/
(emphasis added)
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