LIVE TARGET Protest to End ICE Cooperation | LIVE From Minneapolis
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Protesters gathered at a Richfield, Minnesota Target store to demand an end to the company's cooperation with ICE.
- ❖The protest was sparked by an incident where ICE agents violently detained two US citizen high school students on Target property.
- ❖Activists called for Target to declare itself a 'Fourth Amendment institution,' banning ICE from its premises.
- ❖Demands included Target using its lobbying power to oppose Department of Homeland Security funding for violence against communities.
- ❖Organizers also sought justice for Renee Good and Alex Prey, who were reportedly 'murdered' in Minneapolis.
- ❖Police issued multiple dispersal orders for trespassing on private property, leading to several arrests, including key organizers.
- ❖Despite federal withdrawal of 700 ICE agents, organizers stated 2,300 agents remain in Minnesota, with daily 'kidnappings' occurring.
Insights
1Target's Perceived Complicity with ICE
Protesters accused Target of being complicit with ICE due to its silence and inaction following an incident where ICE agents violently tackled and detained two US citizen high schoolers on Target property. This perceived complicity was exacerbated by past actions, such as Target reportedly accepting funds from a controversial political figure and discontinuing DEI programs, and allowing ICE agents to use store facilities.
Lily, an organizer, stated, 'Target has stayed silent. Our community is being attacked and Target must stop being complicit and speak up in solidarity with us.' Another protester mentioned, 'two US citizens were abducted from here and they did nothing.'
2Specific Demands for Corporate Action
The protest outlined four concrete demands for Target: declare itself a Fourth Amendment institution (banning ICE from its property), use its lobbying power to prevent further Department of Homeland Security funding for violence against communities, demand justice for Renee Good and Alex Prey, and advocate for 'ICE out of Minnesota and ice out of everywhere across this country.'
Lily detailed these demands, stating, 'We're here today to demand that Target become a Fourth Amendment institution and refuse to let ICE on their property. We're here today to demand that Target use their lobbying power... to ensure that the Department of Homeland Security does not receive one penny more to fund violence against our communities. We are here today to demand that Target use their power to take a stand and demand justice for Renee Good and Alex Prey. And finally, we are here today to demand ice out of Minnesota and ice out of everywhere across this country.'
3Ongoing ICE Activity Despite Media Narratives
Protesters refuted claims from national media that ICE operations had quieted down or become less violent. They asserted that despite a federal withdrawal of 700 ICE agents from Minnesota, 2,300 agents remained, and people were still being 'kidnapped off the street every single day,' impacting students and families.
A teacher from Minneapolis stated, 'The reality is not that's not what's happening... we still have about 200 students who are affected. They are being robbed of their education.' Lily added, 'the federal government withdrew 700 ICE agents, about a week ago from Minnesota, but we still have, 2,300 agents here. And so things are still really bad in our communities. People are getting kidnapped off the street every single day. Um, and things have not died down.'
Lessons
- Boycott Target to pressure the corporation into addressing community concerns regarding ICE cooperation.
- Organize and participate in local actions and trainings in your city to amplify the demand for corporate accountability.
- Contact elected officials and corporate shareholders to advocate against funding for immigration enforcement agencies and demand protection for immigrant communities.
Notable Moments
Police issue multiple dispersal orders, citing private property trespass, leading to arrests.
This highlights the legal boundaries and risks associated with direct action protests on private property, and the typical law enforcement response to such demonstrations.
Arrest of Derek, an organizer, for using a megaphone, and subsequent arrests of other organizers, including Lily.
These arrests demonstrate the immediate consequences faced by protest leaders and the targeted nature of law enforcement's response to perceived instigators, even for non-violent actions like speaking through a megaphone.
Quotes
"As a Jewish person, I know that when one group of people are targeted, scapegoated, stripped of their rights, and torn from their families, none of us are safe."
"We are here today to demand that Target become a Fourth Amendment institution and refuse to let ICE on their property."
"They are here intimidating all of us. They not arresting only what they call criminals, but they are arresting citizens and residents who have their status."
"We still have about 200 students who are affected. They are being robbed of their education."
Q&A
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