Following events involving the protests against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and President Donald Trump’s decisions, there have been multiple protests. A prime example of this is the closing of seven grocery stores, taking place in Minnesota.
Minnesota faith leaders are requesting an economic blackout in response to the immigration policies taking place in America currently. This request is supposed to take place on Friday, Jan. 21, 2026. According to UFCW99 News, these grocery stores in Twin Cities are a part of co-ops such as The Wedge Community Co-op, East-side Food Co-op, River Market Community Co-op, Seward Community Co-op, and Mississippi Co-op. Not only are others being refrained from working, but also spending money on non-essential goods as part of the boycott. This is because spending no money creates a challenge to large corporations, displaying large amounts of power against them and creating a large impact, even in just one day.
In addition, these measures are being done out of fear, not just protest. This is evident in the statement shown by Patch, “the closures are both an act of protest and an effort to give workers space to rest, organize, or grieve amid weeks of fear and disruption tied to federal immigration enforcement”.
The number of stores protesting are slowly increasing, as interest in other stores around the area are growing in notice of engaging in the act. Although some stores will remain open, they are acting out in some way, such as even raising money for nonprofit organizations.
With some stores acting in many different approaches, Target is currently receiving criticism because of their means to remain silent. This is demonstrated on Bring Me The News, as it says criticism is heading towards the large company after ICE agents arrested two employees from their company, who are U.S. citizens.
Ultimately, as a result of the conflict between ICE and America, stores are taking initiative to bring awareness to the situation. Overall, this promotion of no school, no shopping, and no work is spreading a message to ICE agents, and making long term effects such as a bad reputation and sales drops across the state of Minnesota.
