What to know about "ICE Out of MN" day
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Businesses are participating in the ICE OUT! blackout in Minneapolis. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images
An organized effort encouraging people not to work, shop or go to school on Friday in protest of ICE's surge into Minnesota is gaining momentum.
Why it matters: "ICE Out of MN: Day of Truth and Freedom" could become one of the largest demonstrations since ICE's aggressive push into the state began in late November, culminating with a 2pm march in downtown Minneapolis.
State of play: A growing number of eateries, coffee shops and retailers are closing for the day, including Daniel del Prado's restaurants, Gavin Kaysen's restaurants and Bar La Grassa, among many others.
- Co-op grocery stores Wedge, Seward, River Market, Mississippi Market and Eastside won't open, nor will the Freewheel Bike Shop chain.
- Bring Me the News has a running list that had already topped 200 businesses as of Wednesday.
Yes, but: The impact to public services may be muted due to labor contracts and the weather.
Between the lines: Several of the unions supporting the cause acknowledged that they have contracts preventing them from going on strike, including the ones representing bus drivers and nurses.
- Metro Transit said service will operate on schedule Friday but will alert riders if things change.
- The Minnesota Nurses Association encouraged its members to join the march but also urged them to show up for work as scheduled and honor the no-strike provision in their contracts.
- Unions representing teachers in Minneapolis and St. Paul are also signed on to support, but MPS already had the day off for record keeping and Education Minnesota, the statewide union, is encouraging protests only outside of work hours.
Reality check: If forecast wind chills of -39° on Friday morning hold, it's likely that many districts will be canceling class anyway.
What they're saying: Catzen Coffee owner Vanessa Beardsley told Axios the shop will not open for business but will allow people to come in for free drip coffee.
- "This is an opportunity for all of us — and when I say us, I mean our neighborhood, our city and our state — to stand together and show not only ourselves but everyone who's watching how much power the people really have."
Friction point: Organizers of ICE Out have been encouraging their supporters to go door to door to ask businesses to close. They even have a tool kit for how to talk to them.
- Wes Burdine, owner of St. Paul bar Black Hart, told Racket, it's a sizable ask for small businesses to give up their busiest night of the week when cold weather already hurts business in winter. He's decided to close after some foot dragging.
Minneapolis Regional Chamber CEO Mike Logan has spoken out against ICE's tactics here, but isn't taking a position on the strike.
- "The Chamber would be hard-pressed to support any strike that further impacts an already struggling economic situation for the region, but ... we agree the ICE surge has had an immediate and likely long-term impact on the vitality of the region regardless of its stated purpose."
What we're watching: How many rank-and-file employees just decline to show up, whether they're union or not.