Thousands of protesters braved subzero temperatures to march through Minneapolis on Friday, demanding an end to President Donald Trump's anti-immigration policies in their city. Organizers estimated as many as 50,000 people took to the streets, though the figure could not be independently verified. The chilly conditions - with temperatures dropping to a record low of minus 29 degrees Celsius - failed to deter the crowd, who gathered at indoor venues like the Target Center, a sports arena that hosts thousands.
The protesters were part of a "general strike" organized by a coalition of groups, including faith-based organizations and labor unions. Dozens of businesses across Minnesota closed their doors as a show of solidarity with the protesters. The demonstration was the latest in a series of violent confrontations between immigration authorities and those opposing Trump's tough stance on immigration.
Just days earlier, US Vice President JD Vance visited Minneapolis to support ICE officers and urged local leaders to reduce tensions. However, the protesters were unfazed, instead calling for Trump to withdraw 3,000 federal law enforcement officers sent to the area. The protest also highlighted concerns over racial profiling and accountability for law enforcement agencies.
Among the demands of the organizers was legal repercussions for an ICE agent who shot and killed a US citizen in her car. About 100 clergy members were arrested during the protest, and organizers said that they too were calling attention to airport workers who had been detained by ICE while on duty.
Faith-based organizations claimed the event was part of "largest strike" against Trump's immigration policies. "Make no mistake, we are facing a full federal occupation by the United States government through the arm of ICE on unceded Dakota land," said Rachel Dionne-Thunder, vice president of the Indigenous Protector Movement.
President Trump has campaigned for stricter immigration laws and enforcement but his aggressive deployment of federal law enforcement into cities like Minneapolis has fueled polarization in the US. The incident involving Renee Good's shooting has only added fuel to the fire with allegations of racial profiling, detention of a US citizen from their home in his underwear, and detention of schoolchildren.
The protesters were part of a "general strike" organized by a coalition of groups, including faith-based organizations and labor unions. Dozens of businesses across Minnesota closed their doors as a show of solidarity with the protesters. The demonstration was the latest in a series of violent confrontations between immigration authorities and those opposing Trump's tough stance on immigration.
Just days earlier, US Vice President JD Vance visited Minneapolis to support ICE officers and urged local leaders to reduce tensions. However, the protesters were unfazed, instead calling for Trump to withdraw 3,000 federal law enforcement officers sent to the area. The protest also highlighted concerns over racial profiling and accountability for law enforcement agencies.
Among the demands of the organizers was legal repercussions for an ICE agent who shot and killed a US citizen in her car. About 100 clergy members were arrested during the protest, and organizers said that they too were calling attention to airport workers who had been detained by ICE while on duty.
Faith-based organizations claimed the event was part of "largest strike" against Trump's immigration policies. "Make no mistake, we are facing a full federal occupation by the United States government through the arm of ICE on unceded Dakota land," said Rachel Dionne-Thunder, vice president of the Indigenous Protector Movement.
President Trump has campaigned for stricter immigration laws and enforcement but his aggressive deployment of federal law enforcement into cities like Minneapolis has fueled polarization in the US. The incident involving Renee Good's shooting has only added fuel to the fire with allegations of racial profiling, detention of a US citizen from their home in his underwear, and detention of schoolchildren.
but at the same time I gotta respect those protesters for speaking up about what's important to them, like accountability for law enforcement agencies 
. it's crazy that 50k+ people braved subzero temps to march for change, and I love how faith-based organizations are standing with the community - they're not just praying from behind a pulpit 
. JD Vance might think he's supporting ICE officers but really he's just fueling the fire 
. on the bright side, it looks like some businesses are showing solidarity with the protesters, which is awesome 
. and let's be real, if people are marching in the streets for a cause they care about, that's gotta count for something, right? 
it feels like the whole city is one big protest march and i feel like we should be talking about this more at school... like how are our teachers supposed to prepare us for a world where there are people being shot by ICE agents? 
and what about all those airport workers who were detained while on duty? it's so unfair that they're getting treated like criminals just because of their immigration status. i feel like we need to have a class discussion about this ASAP... maybe even invite some guest speakers from immigrant rights organizations? 
I mean can you even imagine having to walk around outside for hours like that? It's so harsh and unforgiving, but the protesters didn't let it stop them! 
And the fact that businesses were closing down to show solidarity is just amazing. It's like the whole city came together to stand against this kind of injustice. I'm getting a little choked up thinking about Renee Good, and all the other people who've been affected by ICE's actions... it's just heartbreaking 
. But at the same time, I feel for these protesters, you know? They're not just fighting for themselves, they're fighting for justice and accountability for those who have been wronged by ICE.
.
and i'm stuck at home with like a million tissues... anyway did you know that the new season of 'stranger things' is out? 
. also, have you tried that new coffee shop downtown? 
their lattes are so good! i had one this morning and it was literally the best thing since sliced bread 
. back to politics... yeah, trump's policies are super messed up 
but can we talk about how amazing the new season of 'the office' is? 
. The whole thing just makes me wanna ask, what's next? Are we gonna see more cities taking a stand against ICE? We need to keep pushing for justice and accountability for these law enforcement agencies 
. The fact that ICE agents are being called out for their actions is a major step towards change 
. We need more people like these protesters who aren't afraid to make some noise 
!
I need to see some vids or pics from multiple sources to believe that number tho. Sounds like a lot. Also, why did the Target Center get used as an indoor venue for the protesters? Was it open to the public all day or something? And what's with the "largest strike" claim from faith-based orgs? They're not exactly known for being impartial. IDK, I'm just skeptical 