Minnesota restaurants close operations and announce 'statewide shutdown' against ICE enforcement
MINNNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: A wave of planned closures by restaurants, coffee shops and other small businesses in Minnesota is set for this Friday, January 23, as part of a protest against federal immigration enforcement.
Dozens of food establishments are announcing that they will close their doors in what organizers call a “statewide shutdown.” The action includes calls for "no work, no school, and no shopping," with an accompanying march planned in downtown Minneapolis.
Minnesota restaurants and businesses march against ICE enforcement
A growing number of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and small businesses area are planning to take part in what supporters describe as an "economic blackout strike" in protest of immigration enforcement policies.
According to social media posts, the closures are being timed around a planned demonstration in downtown Minneapolis, set for 2 pm on Friday. Organized as part of what participants have labeled “ICE Out,” the action was announced on January 13 by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee.
Organizers describe the group as “an all-volunteer, grassroots, multiracial and multinational immigrant rights mass-movement organization.”
Multiple eateries confirmed closures on Instagram and other platforms, stating their reasons for supporting the protest. Hola Arepa & Hai Hai, a Southeast Asian and Latin street food restaurant, said it will close “in support of the general strike to remove ICE from our cities and get justice for Renee Good.”
Wildflyer Coffee announced that both its locations will be closed “to ensure our staff can participate in ways that feel meaningful to them and to further exist in solidarity with the movement.” The coffee shop also said it is seeking $2,500 to help offset lost wages and revenue for its workers.
Lost Fox, a St Paul cafe, said it will close “in solidarity with ICE OUT of MN,” and even encouraged participation in the planned march by handing out whistles to customers.
An Argentinian Italian restaurant named Martina also posted that it will participate in the strike, indicating that after “many meaningful conversations with team members,” the restaurant chose to close on Friday with plans to resume service Saturday.
Local businesses deny entry to ICE agents
Other establishments, including Metta Coffee in Anoka County, wrote on their Facebook pages that both their coffee shop and bookstore will be closed “in solidarity with fellow businesses.” Their message stated they “object to the invasion of our state and the political corruption,” insisting that ICE should leave Minnesota.
As more businesses announce closures, some have taken additional steps to express resistance to ICE enforcement. In several locations around Minneapolis, signs have been posted stating that federal immigration agents are not permitted to enter their establishments.
One sign on a gas station door reads: “Federal agents (ICE, DEA, ATF, or any other agent or agency) may not enter or park or stage immigration operations on this property.” Another sign at Rancho Loco Grill & Bar similarly declares, “ICE is not welcome to this business.”
A Georgia-based civil rights attorney, Robert Patillo, told Fox News Digital that business owners can legally deny entry to ICE agents unless they present a judicial warrant signed by a judge, rather than standard ICE paperwork. He also emphasized the importance of properly training staff so they understand when legal compliance is actually required.
In addition to business closures, clergy members reportedly plan to announce on January 20 that hundreds of places of worship across Minnesota will also take part in a shutdown to denounce the ICE enforcement surge.
