CCP-Linked Groups Join Anti-ICE Shutdown in Minnesota

What began earlier this week as a call for a statewide “Day of Truth and Freedom” has materialized into one of the largest coordinated acts of public protest in Minnesota in years — with thousands of residents marching through downtown Minneapolis, hundreds of businesses shuttering operations, and arrests made during demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity across the state.

Organizers described Friday as both a general strike and economic blackout, urging Minnesotans to participate in “no work, no school, no shopping” actions to oppose the Trump administration’s ongoing Operation Metro Surge and to demand an end to ICE’s presence in the state.

Widespread Business Closures Signal Broad Participation

Across the Twin Cities and beyond, more than 700 businesses publicly committed to closing Friday in solidarity with the protest effort, ranging from cafes and shops to larger local institutions along University Avenue and major corridors in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

“Meteor, a bar in Minneapolis, announced on social media that it would close in solidarity, saying the decision came from a collective choice by its staff,” local reporting noted earlier this week.

By Friday morning, dozens of additional businesses — including coffee shops and restaurants — had already shut their doors as protesters called for a pause in normal economic activity.

Massive March and Rally in Downtown Minneapolis

Shortly after midday, thousands of demonstrators gathered in downtown Minneapolis for a planned march, moving from Commons Park toward the Target Center where an afternoon rally was scheduled.

Protesters braved subzero temperatures, chanting and waving signs decrying the federal immigration enforcement presence, and demanding both that ICE leave the state and that accountability be secured for the fatal shooting of Renee Good earlier this month — a flashpoint that has galvanized public anger and intensified calls for federal policy change.

Airport Arrests and Police Actions

At Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, around 100 clergy and faith leaders were arrested Friday morning after a permitted protest expanded beyond agreed boundaries, according to local police statements.

Separately, authorities issued dispersal orders around the Whipple Federal Building after some protest crowds blocked access roads. Local sheriff’s officials reported that chunks of ice were thrown at vehicles during the confrontation, leading to several police orders for the crowd to clear the area.

A Broad, Multi-Demographic Protest Movement

The nationwide scope of the action was reflected in solidarity statements beyond Minnesota — including from educators’ unions in New York planning symbolic “days of action” aligned with Friday’s protests.

Many communities emphasized the role of labor leaders, faith organizations, immigrant advocacy groups, and local business owners in coordinating participation — demonstrating a coalition that stretches well beyond traditional activist circles.

Backdrop: Operation Metro Surge and Local Outrage

Friday’s shutdown occurred against the backdrop of Operation Metro Surge, a federal effort that brought thousands of immigration enforcement agents into the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota. Residents and local officials have criticized the operation for aggressive tactics and alleged violations of civil liberties — claims that have sparked protests statewide for weeks.

The surge has also drawn legal scrutiny, with civil rights advocates and political leaders pursuing lawsuits and legislative responses in the wake of confrontations between ICE and Minnesota residents.

Looking Ahead: Momentum and Fallout

While Friday’s protests are winding down, whether the actions will translate into sustained political pressure or policy changes remains uncertain. The large turnout, extensive closures, and dramatic public demonstrations signal deep public dissatisfaction with current federal immigration enforcement practices — and set the stage for continuing political and legal battles in the weeks to come.