Organizers say a statewide “Day of Truth and Freedom” will halt work, school, and commerce as federal scrutiny intensifies over ICE obstruction claims.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A broad coalition of activist organizations, labor unions, and political groups is preparing for a statewide protest in Minnesota on Friday aimed at forcing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement out of the state, according to reporting by Just the News.
The action, branded “ICE Out of MN: Day of Truth and Freedom,” was announced earlier this month and calls for a coordinated halt to work, school attendance, and consumer activity, alongside a large march in Minneapolis. Organizers have promoted the event as a statewide economic shutdown intended to pressure federal authorities to end ICE operations in Minnesota.
According to Just the News, groups involved in organizing or promoting the protest include the Party for Socialism and Liberation, the media outlet BreakThrough News, and the New York-based People’s Forum. The outlet has previously reported on how multiple activist organizations involved in anti-ICE demonstrations have leadership or funding connections to a network linked to businessman Neville Singham.
The GOP-led House Oversight Committee recently voted to subpoena Singham as part of its investigation into the network. The ICE Out Now website lists multiple co-sponsors, including the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Revolutionary Communists of America, and the Twin Cities chapter of the Communist Party USA.
The Democratic Socialists of America, both nationally and in Minnesota, are listed as supporters of the event. Major labor unions are also participating. The Service Employees International Union is identified as a co-host, while the United Auto Workers publicly endorsed the shutdown.
The planned action follows the fatal shooting of anti-ICE protester Renee Good earlier this month after authorities said she drove her vehicle at an ICE agent. It also comes a day after Attorney General Pam Bondi announced arrests related to the disruption of church services in St. Paul.
Organizers state on the ICE Out Now site that the shutdown is intended as “a unified statewide pause in daily economic activity,” calling for “no work,” “no school,” and “no shopping.” The group lists demands including the removal of ICE from Minnesota, legal accountability in the Good shooting, and an end to additional federal funding for ICE.
Shortly after the protest was announced, Minneapolis Public Schools said classes would be canceled Friday for a scheduled record-keeping day. The Minnesota-based outlet Bring Me The News is tracking hundreds of businesses that have said they will close in connection with the shutdown.
Several organizations linked to the Singham network have promoted the event online. The Party for Socialism and Liberation’s Twin Cities chapter is listed as a co-sponsor and has repeatedly posted messages calling for participation. The group also issued a statement of solidarity ahead of Friday’s action. Karina Garcia, the party’s 2024 vice-presidential nominee, has appeared at related protests, according to her public profile.
BreakThrough News has shared multiple posts highlighting student walkouts and preparations for the shutdown. The outlet also broadcast livestreams from Somali business owners and shared videos and footage of Asian business owners announcing participation.
The People’s Forum has posted calls for solidarity protests outside Minnesota, including demonstrations in New York City.
Other groups seeking to nationalize the action include the ANSWER Coalition, the 50501 movement—described on its website as “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement”—and Indivisible, which says it was founded after Trump’s election. Minnesota-based chapters of both groups are listed as co-hosts and co-sponsors.
A range of openly Marxist organizations are also involved, including the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, which describes itself as building toward a new Communist Party. The Revolutionary Communists of America have published statements supporting a general strike, while the Communist Party USA has promoted plans to close businesses and says it is guided by Marxism-Leninism.
The outlet People’s World, identified as a successor to the Communist Daily Worker, has posted and published multiple items promoting the shutdown. The CPUSA Labor Commission has also shared related content, and the party’s Chicago chapter has reposted coverage.
The Democratic Socialists of America’s Twin Cities chapter is listed as a co-host, with the national and local chapters named as co-sponsors. The group has also posted guidance encouraging supporters to miss work and participate.
Minnesota labor unions have formally endorsed the action. Co-hosts listed include the Minneapolis Federation of Educators, ATU Local 1005, and SEIU Local 26. Additional co-sponsors include the Minnesota AFL-CIO, Communications Workers of America Local 7250, and Trader Joe’s United, according to the event site. A video shared by Labor on the Line featured union leaders voicing support.
The Minnesota AFL-CIO issued a statement endorsing the protest, with President Bernie Burnham saying union members would call for ICE to leave the state, an end to additional funding, and legal accountability related to the Good shooting. The UAW reiterated its position in a public statement.
Additional co-sponsors listed on the organizers’ site include Indivisible chapters, the No Kings Coalition, Our Revolution Twin Cities, Black Lives Matter Twin Cities, the Green Party of Minnesota, Jewish Voice for Peace, and the Women’s March of Minnesota, which is also a co-host.
The planned shutdown unfolds as federal prosecutors have begun serving subpoenas to senior Minnesota Democrats, including Gov. Tim Walz, as part of a Justice Department investigation into alleged obstruction of federal immigration enforcement in the state.
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