Activists nationwide, including in Portland, are urging people to refrain from work, school and shopping today as part of a weekend of demonstrations against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's tactics.

The big picture: Organizers frame the national shutdown as part of a broader movement against ICE after the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and the wounding of two people in Portland this month.

Zoom in: Demonstrations will take place around Portland throughout the weekend.

• A family-friendly "Abolish ICE" rally and march will kick off at Laurelhurst Park today at 2:45pm.
• Cyclists will hold a riding vigil for Pretti starting at Irving Park on Saturday at 2pm.
• Labor groups will gather in Elizabeth Caruthers Park — not far from the ICE facility in South Portland — on Saturday at 3pm.

Zoom out: Today's planned action is not the same as The General Strike, which is led by a coalition seeking to get 11 million people to sign a "Strike Card" pledging not to work until a long list of demands are met around immigration enforcement, environmental justice, racial equality and other social justice issues.

• The number represents about 3.5% of the U.S. population, which General Strike members say is the threshold to create change through protest.

State of play: Local groups — including the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition, No Kings Portland, and the Portland chapter of Indivisible — are among the hundreds of organizations that have endorsed the economic boycott.

• Dozens of local businesses have also indicated they will shut down for the day.

Yes, but: The action has not gained the same traction as a similar boycott and protest that attracted tens of thousands of people in Minneapolis last week.

The intrigue: Today's action comes as the White House and Senate Democrats work to reach a deal to separate the fight over ICE funding from the threat of a broader government shutdown that could begin at midnight, sources told Axios.

• Senate Democrats — and some Republicans — have said they would reject any spending bill that includes Department of Homeland Security funding.

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Portland's barbecue scene is heating up, with another out-of-state, big league pitmaster taking up shop in the city, this time beneath one of our hottest restaurants.

State of plate: Bryan Furman — one of the country's most decorated pitmasters — is bringing his South Carolina and Georgia-inspired barbecue to Portland for a limited-run residency in the space under beloved hometown chef Gregory Gourdet's Kann.

• Kicking off tonight and running through the end of April, Furman will serve four signature smoked proteins (brisket, chicken, pork ribs and pulled pork) alongside sides like mac and cheese, collards, Brunswick stew, beans and banana pudding, inspired by his mother's cooking.
• The residency, dubbed "Pitmaster Bryan Furman BBQ," will be available for walk-in, dine-in and takeout.

What he's saying: "I look forward to sharing a new style of BBQ with the city," Furman said in a statement. "I'm all about cooking for the people and I'm very much looking forward to cooking for Portlanders."

If you go: Furman will be popping up 'til April at Kann (227 SE 6th Avenue) Friday through Sunday from noon to 8pm.

• You can place takeout orders here.

President Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Portland to protect federal law enforcement and buildings last year cost approximately $26 million — except troops never patrolled the city.

• That's more than double previous estimates.

The big picture: Portland was one of six U.S. cities where Guard members were sent between October and December, but swift legal action on behalf of the city and Oregon's attorney general put deployment on hold.

• Last month, Trump backed off efforts to deploy troops shortly after the Supreme Court rejected his push to use troops in Chicago to assist with immigration enforcement.

Driving the news: The Congressional Budget Office released its findings on National Guard deployments this week at the request of Oregon U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley.

• The cost estimates take into account pay and benefits, lodging, food and transportation.
• Nationwide, Guard deployments cost federal taxpayers $496 million.

By the numbers: The average daily cost in Portland per Guard member was about $560, which included $260 for basic pay and $155 for housing.

🎓 Oregon's class of 2025 saw a graduation rate of 83%, an increase of nine percent over the last decade and the highest four-year graduation rate ever recorded in the state. (Oregon Capital Chronicle)

🌹 The Portland Rose Festival will combine its Grand Floral and Starlight parades this summer in an effort to cut costs as the yearly display of civic pride has struggled financially since the pandemic. (OPB)

The FBI has obtained video footage that shows "partial views" of the Border Patrol shooting of two people in Southeast Portland earlier this month. (The Oregonian)

⛹🏽‍♂️ Scoot Henderson, the Blazers third-year guard who has yet to play a game this season while nursing a torn hamstring, is nearing a return to action. (Rose Garden Report)

República, one of Portland's most acclaimed tasting menu restaurants focused on celebrating Mexican culinary history, will close next month.

The big picture: Owner Angel Medina cited a drastic drop in business following the election of President Trump and a rise in fear among his restaurant workers over increasing immigration enforcement activity.

My thought bubble: The pioneering restaurant — which opened in 2020 and evolved from serving daytime guisados to a storytelling-driven tasting menu highlighting regional and rare Mexican ingredients — will be remembered for reshaping how Mexican cuisine was understood and experienced here.

• It was one of my most frequented and favorite places for celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and bringing visitors to show off just how well Portland did food.
• I'll always remember the first time I ate chicatanas (ants), the staple handmade tricolored quesadillas and the inventive desserts, which once included a deconstructed strawberry-coconut shortcake featuring puffed peanuts and rice with a side of avocado ice cream.

If you go: República's last day is Feb. 21.