Thousands of people gathered at 2 p.m. at Commons Park in downtown Minneapolis before marching through the streets to protest federal immigration operations in Minnesota.
The crowd marched in dangerously cold temperatures, shouting expletives against ICE as well as slogans in support of immigrants.
Many supporters handed out hand warmers, while volunteers directed traffic. The march culminated in a rally inside Target Center, where local and national supporters of the ICE Out effort made remarks.
Over 700 businesses in Minnesota reportedly closed Friday as part of the day of demonstration that called on residents to refrain from shopping, and to stay home from work and school.
Along University and 1st Avenues Northeast in Minneapolis, all but a handful of businesses and banks were closed. Nearly every single business seemed to be closed on Saint Anthony Main. Few businesses were open on Central Avenue N.E., which is home to many ethnic restaurants and stores, and whole strip mall parking lots were empty.
Protests against the federal immigration presence popped up throughout the day. About 20 drummers set up on the Stone Arch Bridge in downtown Minneapolis in protest. Along Central Avenue N.E., protesters were staged at multiple intersections with signs.
Protesters continued demonstrating at the Whipple Federal building at Fort Snelling, which houses immigration court and a local office for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
President Donald Trump has sent a reported 3,000 immigration agents to Minnesota since early December for “Operation Metro Surge,” which the administration says is the largest immigration operation in U.S. history.
While the federal government has said it’s targeting criminals, Minnesotans have reported several cases of agents arresting U.S. citizens and children, profiling people based on race and using force against non-violent civilian observers. Three local police leaders also convened a news conference to say some agents have racially profiled off-duty officers and are making illegal traffic stops.
A federal agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Macklin Good on Jan. 7 while she was observing operations in south Minneapolis, and another shot and wounded Julio Cesar Sosa Celis on Jan. 14.
Sahan Journal reporter Joey Peters contributed to this report.
