Minnesota Stands Up Against ICE Raids: A Day of Solidarity

In Minnesota, a strong wave of protest is building against the recent surge in ICE activities. Community leaders, religious figures, and labor unions have come together to organize a "Day of Truth & Freedom. " This day of action is a response to the killing of Renee Good, an unarmed woman shot by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis. The protesters have clear demands. They want ICE to leave Minnesota, the officer involved in Good's death to face legal consequences, an end to additional funding for ICE, and an investigation into the agency's actions. The protest is gaining momentum, with many local businesses closing in support and the Minneapolis City Council backing the strike. Despite the freezing weather, with temperatures dropping to -10F and wind chills reaching -20F, the protesters are determined to make their voices heard. The Minnesota AFL-CIO, representing over 1, 000 local unions, has endorsed the action. Kieran Knutson, president of CWA Local 7250, expressed the need for meaningful action against the violence and attacks.Even childcare workers in Minneapolis are joining the protest. After consulting with the families they serve, they decided to shut down for the day. The families, including those on childcare assistance and those paying out of pocket, showed overwhelming support for the protest. The Department of Homeland Security claims to have made 3, 000 arrests in Minnesota over the past six weeks. In response to the protest, a DHS spokesperson questioned why labor bosses would want to protect "public safety threats, " citing photos of undocumented immigrants with criminal records. However, the protesters see this as a human rights issue, not just a legal one. The US army has put 1, 500 soldiers on standby, and 3, 000 immigration officers have been dispatched to Minnesota by the Trump administration. This has only fueled the protesters' determination to stand up against what they see as unjust actions.