A nationwide economic shutdown is scheduled for January 30, as organizers mobilize a broad coalition to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The initiative calls for individuals to refrain from working, attending school, or making purchases in a coordinated effort to resist immigration enforcement actions that have sparked public concern, particularly following recent raids in cities like Minneapolis. n nThe movement follows the January 23 ICE OUT demonstration in Minnesota, which galvanized opposition after the fatal encounter involving ICU nurse Alex Pretti. Advocates argue that ICE activities have instilled fear in communities and led to tragic outcomes, prompting a unified national response. n nHigh-profile figures, including actor Pedro Pascal from “The Last Of Us” and comedian Hannah Einbender from “Hacks,” have amplified the message by sharing protest materials on social media. The campaign has also drawn support from labor unions, student organizations, and civil rights groups, all listed on the National Shutdown website. n nOrganizers assert that federal immigration policies rooted in discrimination are endangering lives, regardless of immigration status. They emphasize that enforcement tactics, such as community raids and detentions, amount to systemic overreach that demands collective resistance. n n”The people of the Twin Cities have shown the way for the whole country – to stop ICE’s reign of terror, we need to SHUT IT DOWN,” the campaign’s website states, urging participation in a day marked by abstention from economic activity. n nIn Minnesota, the earlier protest prompted numerous businesses to close temporarily, symbolizing economic dissent and drawing attention to public dissatisfaction with current immigration enforcement strategies. The national event aims to replicate and expand on this model, offering a directory of local actions to facilitate involvement across regions. n
— News Original —nThe National Shutdown will take place Jan. 30 as all against ICE prepare for the economic blackout. n nA general strike against ICE, set for Jan. 30, is gaining momentum as organizers hope to expand the event. n nThe strike aims for all participants to skip work, school, and shopping in protest of ICE raids taking place across many U.S. cities, especially in Minneapolis. The economic blackout hopes to show opposition toward immigration law enforcement’s activities, some of which have led to the death of two demonstrators. n nAccording to Business Insider, the general strike comes on the heels of Minnesota’s own ICE OUT protest, which took place Jan. 23. As ICE agents’ enforcement activities continue to spread fear across American cities, with the latest death of ICU nurse Alex Pretti causing even more outrage, those against the violence will now band together nationwide. n nThe movement has even garnered celebrity attention, with some star-studded supporters promoting the protest on their social media accounts. “The Last Of Us” star Pedro Pascal and “Hacks” actress Hannah Einbender have shared the flyer as anti-ICE advocates continue to spread the message. n nThe national shutdown’s official website also listed several endorsers of its cause, including various unions, student groups, and social justice organizations dedicated to stopping ICE’s reign in America. n n“The people of the Twin Cities have shown the way for the whole country – to stop ICE’s reign of terror, we need to SHUT IT DOWN,” detailed the site. “On Friday, January 30, join a nationwide day of no school, no work, and no shopping.” n nThe website also asserted that the President’s “racist agenda” will continue to spark violence across communities. Thus, the protest aims to demonstrate a hard stance against this initiative, which it claims jeopardizing people’s lives, regardless of their legal status. n n“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,” it continued. n nIts inspired protest in Minnesota saw multiple businesses shut down in support of the blackout, using the dip in the U.S. economy to prove their discontent with the Trump administration’s ICE rollout. For those wishing to participate, the National Shutdown has a list of actions across several cities to ensure anyone can take part.