Detroit-area businesses shut down in solidarity with Minnesota protesters against ICE crackdown.
In a show of support for the protests against the Trump administration's deadly U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) crackdown in Minnesota, numerous small businesses across Detroit closed their doors on Friday as part of a National Shutdown Day general strike.
The strike was called by the National Shutdown website, which read: "Every day, ICE, Border Patrol and other enforcers of Trump’s racist agenda are going into our communities to kidnap our neighbors and sow fear. It is time for us to all stand up together in a nationwide shutdown and say enough is enough!"
The protests in Minnesota have been peaceful but intense, with thousands of people demonstrating against the ICE crackdown and the deaths of fellow protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were killed by ICE agents in recent weeks.
Many Detroit-area businesses took to social media to announce their participation in the strike. The Library Street Collective, Drifter Coffee, City Bird, and the Grand Porter, among others, all closed on Friday, citing solidarity with the protesters. In contrast, some businesses chose to remain open but posted messages of support for those affected by ICE policies.
Folk, a cafe and market in Corktown, stated that it would remain open but vowed to "stand in solidarity with all those impacted" and provide a safe space for its community. Moondog Cafe also remained open but expressed its solidarity with the National Shutdown Movement and vehemently opposed ICE's actions.
Trinsophes, a downtown cafe and music venue, announced that it would resume its planned concert on Friday evening but pledged to donate all concession sales to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota.
Not all messages were as measured, however. Bad Luck Bar and other businesses posted a more explicit message expressing their opposition to ICE's policies, stating: "We abhor this administration’s anti-immigration policies... They contradict the values we hold as a business and as a community." Another statement read: "FUCK ICE," emphasizing its support for those directly affected by the policies.
The strike is a testament to the growing resistance among Detroit's business community against Trump's immigration policies, which have been widely criticized for their alleged racist undertones.
In a show of support for the protests against the Trump administration's deadly U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) crackdown in Minnesota, numerous small businesses across Detroit closed their doors on Friday as part of a National Shutdown Day general strike.
The strike was called by the National Shutdown website, which read: "Every day, ICE, Border Patrol and other enforcers of Trump’s racist agenda are going into our communities to kidnap our neighbors and sow fear. It is time for us to all stand up together in a nationwide shutdown and say enough is enough!"
The protests in Minnesota have been peaceful but intense, with thousands of people demonstrating against the ICE crackdown and the deaths of fellow protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were killed by ICE agents in recent weeks.
Many Detroit-area businesses took to social media to announce their participation in the strike. The Library Street Collective, Drifter Coffee, City Bird, and the Grand Porter, among others, all closed on Friday, citing solidarity with the protesters. In contrast, some businesses chose to remain open but posted messages of support for those affected by ICE policies.
Folk, a cafe and market in Corktown, stated that it would remain open but vowed to "stand in solidarity with all those impacted" and provide a safe space for its community. Moondog Cafe also remained open but expressed its solidarity with the National Shutdown Movement and vehemently opposed ICE's actions.
Trinsophes, a downtown cafe and music venue, announced that it would resume its planned concert on Friday evening but pledged to donate all concession sales to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota.
Not all messages were as measured, however. Bad Luck Bar and other businesses posted a more explicit message expressing their opposition to ICE's policies, stating: "We abhor this administration’s anti-immigration policies... They contradict the values we hold as a business and as a community." Another statement read: "FUCK ICE," emphasizing its support for those directly affected by the policies.
The strike is a testament to the growing resistance among Detroit's business community against Trump's immigration policies, which have been widely criticized for their alleged racist undertones.
. I mean, you're not just protesting, you're also showing that you care about your customers and employees who might be affected by ICE policies. It's like they say, a company is only as strong as its community 
. And I love how some of the businesses are being super clear about why they're closing, it's not just about showing solidarity, it's about standing up for what you believe in 
. But at the same time, I do think it's interesting that there were some businesses that were a bit more explicit with their messages, like, no need to get loud 
. All in all, I'm impressed by the business community's willingness to speak out and make a difference 
.
like how can a country claim to be free and just if they're just gonna go around killing and persecuting people cuz of where they're from? anyway, it's amazing to see so many businesses in detroit showing up for this cause 
and i love that some of them are using their platforms to raise awareness about the issue 
it's all about creating a ripple effect, right?
honestly i dont get why ppl need 2 shutdown their shops just 2 make a point... its not like ur gonna be arrested 4 participating in a peaceful protest 
... the fact that some ppl r using it as an excuse 2 spew hate speech or insults at ICE is really concerning tho 
... and whats with all these "we abhor this administration's policies" statements? sounds like ppl r just trying 2 spin their own agendas 
... i mean i get supporting a cause, but can't we just do it peacefully without resorting 2 grandstanding or using hate speech? 
it's AMAZING TO SEE SMALL BUSINESSES STEPPING UP AND SHOWING THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE MINNESOTA PROTESTERS AGAINST ICE CRACKDOWN. i MEAN, WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO STAND WITH THOSE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES BEING DEVASTATED BY TRUMP'S POLICIES?! the fact that SO MANY BUSINESSES CITED SOLIDARITY IN THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS IS JUST, LIKE, THE COOLEST THING EVER!!! some of these businesses even chose to REMAIN OPEN BUT STILL SHOWED THEIR SUPPORT, WHICH IS JUST, YOU KNOW, CLASSY. 
And what about all the businesses that chose to stay open but still showed support for the protesters? That's kinda cool, you know? Maybe we can learn from each other and find ways to make a difference that don't involve shutting down everything. 