Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Minneapolis on Friday, January 30th, as part of a general strike against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The crowd was estimated to be around five to ten thousand strong, with many more joining the march. The event marked the second general strike in the Twin Cities since federal immigration officers killed Alex Pretti.
The protesters were largely comprised of Somali and Black student groups from the University of Minnesota, as well as other community members, who had come together to voice their outrage against the ICE raids. Despite initial doubts about the turnout, many more people showed up than anticipated, with the crowd swelling to a sea of bundled-up bodies carrying signs and wearing whistles.
The air was charged with an almost jubilant energy, as protesters chanted slogans like "No more Minnesota nice, Minneapolis will strike." In contrast to recent protests outside the Whipple Federal Building, where demonstrators have clashed with ICE agents and local law enforcement, the scene at City Hall was largely peaceful. However, there is no doubt that danger lurks in every corner – a stark reminder of the very real threat posed by federal immigration authorities.
Volunteer marshals stood watch from neon vests stationed throughout the area, while medics prepared for the worst-case scenario. Helicopters circled overhead, adding to the sense of tension and urgency. The sea of protesters was a testament to the power of grassroots activism, as Minnesotans came together to demand an end to the ICE raids.
For many in attendance, the strike represented more than just a protest – it was a call to action. As one protester noted, "We're not just protesting against ICE; we're fighting for our community." In this moment, the collective spirit of resistance seemed almost unstoppable, as thousands of people stood united against an enemy that had long been a thorn in their side.
The protesters were largely comprised of Somali and Black student groups from the University of Minnesota, as well as other community members, who had come together to voice their outrage against the ICE raids. Despite initial doubts about the turnout, many more people showed up than anticipated, with the crowd swelling to a sea of bundled-up bodies carrying signs and wearing whistles.
The air was charged with an almost jubilant energy, as protesters chanted slogans like "No more Minnesota nice, Minneapolis will strike." In contrast to recent protests outside the Whipple Federal Building, where demonstrators have clashed with ICE agents and local law enforcement, the scene at City Hall was largely peaceful. However, there is no doubt that danger lurks in every corner – a stark reminder of the very real threat posed by federal immigration authorities.
Volunteer marshals stood watch from neon vests stationed throughout the area, while medics prepared for the worst-case scenario. Helicopters circled overhead, adding to the sense of tension and urgency. The sea of protesters was a testament to the power of grassroots activism, as Minnesotans came together to demand an end to the ICE raids.
For many in attendance, the strike represented more than just a protest – it was a call to action. As one protester noted, "We're not just protesting against ICE; we're fighting for our community." In this moment, the collective spirit of resistance seemed almost unstoppable, as thousands of people stood united against an enemy that had long been a thorn in their side.
they're not just fighting for their community, but for a cause that's way bigger than themselves. it's about standin up against these ICE agents who are basically terrorizin' people's lives & communities. the energy in the crowd was palpable, it was like nothin was gonna stop 'em 
but at the same time, you can't just ignore the danger lurkin in the shadows - those agents will try to shut this down or escalate things if they feel threatened. idk what's gonna happen next, but one thing's for sure: this is just the start of somethin big 
. The whole thing about these general strikes and protests against ICE is really worrying, you feel? It's not just about the raids themselves but also the fear of being targeted as a community. The fact that thousands turned up to show their support for one another is super inspiring though 
. And it's great to see community groups coming together like this, it shows people aren't afraid to speak out against injustice anymore 
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, but at the same time I'm really scared for everyone involved, you know? this general strike was insane, with like 5-10 thousand people showing up to demand an end to the ICE raids – it's a huge deal. what's even more amazing is that it wasn't just some organized group of activists, it was everyday people from all walks of life coming together, united in their outrage and determination.
I can feel how intense and emotional this situation must be for everyone involved... The fact that so many students from Somali & Black groups came together to stand up against ICE is truly inspiring 
! As a student myself, I know how hard it can be to deal with the stress of standardized tests and school drama, but imagine having to live in fear of ICE raids all the time? It's just not right. And I love how the students from UMN were the ones leading the charge - they're so brave for speaking out against something that affects them directly 
. I'm all about that grassroots activism life!
. This general strike is all about community and solidarity – everyone's coming together to fight for a common cause 
. It's like one big puzzle, with each person playing their part to create something beautiful 
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. Still, it's amazing to see so many people standing up for what they believe in and fighting for their community 
I mean, can you blame 'em? Who wouldn't want to join a general strike when it's all about standin' up for the community and takin' down those nasty ICE guys? 
I'm just glad everyone showed up with whistles – that's some serious solidarity. And I love how they said "No more Minnesota nice" – like, we're done with bein' polite, let's get real! 
The scene at City Hall was actually pretty chill, which is nice, but you can't just ignore the fact that there are federal immigration authorities lurkin' around, waitin' to pounce. That's some good ol' fashioned tension and urgency right there 
. All I know is, if you're not part of this movement, you might as well be part of the problem 
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. And let's be real, those volunteer marshals and medics were doing some serious heavy lifting 
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I'm worried about the young folks taking a stand like this. ICE raids can be super scary, especially for those who are already struggling to make ends meet or feeling invisible in society. 
... and now ppl are talking about "Minnesota nice" being replaced by something more assertive? 
. But let's wait till someone gets hurt or arrested, then the cops are like "oh no we're not doing anything" 
. I'm not buying it. The fact that the protesters stayed peaceful is just a temporary reprieve before things get ugly 
. And what about all the people who didn't show up? Were they too scared? Too caught up in their own lives to care about ICE raids? The turnout was impressive, but only time will tell if it's a flash in the pan or something more 
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. Like, how cool would it be if everyone came together like that to make a difference?! 
️. I mean, I'm from the States too, but as an immigrant myself, I can only imagine how scary it must be to live with that kind of threat over your head 
. What's amazing is how peaceful it all remained, considering the risks involved, but I guess when people are united behind a cause, nothing can stop them