Minnesota Prepares for Major Immigration Enforcement Protest Despite Severe Winter Conditions
A broad coalition comprising labor unions, progressive organisations, and religious leaders is calling for a widespread demonstration in Minnesota this Friday. The protest, targeting immigration enforcement activities in the state, is urging residents to abstain from attending work, school, and commercial establishments.
"We are absolutely determined to see ICE depart from Minnesota, and that will only happen under significant public pressure," stated Kate Havelin of Indivisible Twin Cities. Her group is among more than one hundred organisations mobilising for the action. "Their current presence on our streets is unacceptable; they should not be operating in this manner anywhere in our nation."
Background of Rising Tensions
The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have experienced daily demonstrations since the fatal shooting of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer during an operation on January 7th. Federal law enforcement presence has intensified in the region for several weeks, leading to repeated confrontations with community members and activists who monitor their movements both online and in person.
Recent developments include the arrest of a prominent civil rights attorney and at least two other individuals connected to an anti-enforcement protest that disrupted a Sunday church service in Minnesota. Vice President JD Vance visited Minneapolis to confer with ICE officials, repeatedly emphasising his belief that improved cooperation from state and local authorities would ease the tense situation and encouraging all protests to remain peaceful.
Friday's Coordinated Action and Weather Challenges
Planned as the largest coordinated protest to date, Friday's mobilisation includes a march through downtown Minneapolis. This will proceed despite dangerously cold temperatures forecast by the National Weather Service, with readings expected to plunge to single and double digits below zero Fahrenheit (approximately -20 to -30 degrees Celsius).
While organisers have advised participants to prepare thoroughly for the extreme cold, Havelin drew a parallel between the immigration enforcement presence and winter weather emergencies. "Minnesotans understand that during a snow emergency, we must all respond and adapt our behaviour," she explained. "The situation with ICE in our community and state demands a similar response; we cannot proceed with business as usual."
Business and Community Solidarity
Organisers report that over a hundred small businesses in the Twin Cities, predominantly coffee shops and restaurants, will close in solidarity or donate a portion of their Friday profits. Ethnic businesses have been particularly affected during enforcement surges, experiencing significant sales declines as both workers and customers stay away for fear of detention.
Luis Argueta of the civil rights group Unidos MN noted that some businesses are choosing to close regardless, preferring to take a deliberate stand in solidarity rather than face the "unscheduled interruption" of having agents apprehend staff members.
Educational Closures and Religious Participation
Numerous schools are planning closures for various reasons. The University of Minnesota, with an enrolment of roughly 50,000 students, has cancelled all in-person classes due to the extreme cold warning. Similarly, the St. Paul public school district cited the same weather conditions for its closure. Minneapolis Public Schools were also scheduled to be closed Friday for a teacher record-keeping day.
Clergy from diverse faith traditions—including Buddhist, Jewish, Lutheran, and Muslim representatives—plan to join the march and hold prayer services and fasting. Bishop Dwayne Royster, leader of the progressive organisation Faith in Action, arrived in Minnesota from Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.
"We demand ICE's removal from Minnesota and from all cities across the country where they are exercising extreme overreach," Bishop Royster declared. He confirmed that at least fifty faith-based organisers from his national network are participating in the protest.
National Support and Broader Context
Approximately ten faith leaders are travelling to Minnesota from Los Angeles, while others from the same group are organising a solidarity rally in California. Reflecting on a large enforcement operation in Los Angeles last year, the Rev. Jennifer Gutierrez described it as "a very harrowing experience," affirming her belief that "God is on the side of migrants."
This protest underscores the deepening national debate over immigration enforcement methods and their impact on local communities, even as participants brave exceptionally harsh winter conditions to make their voices heard.
