Minnesota Businesses Close, Clergy Arrested as Thousands Protest ICE Operation
Updated (3 articles)
Massive Turnout Defies Arctic Cold On January 23‑24, thousands gathered in downtown Minneapolis despite temperatures plunging to ‑23 °C, congregating at the NBA arena and surrounding streets. Organizers framed the rally as part of a statewide coalition of labor unions, faith groups, and progressive organizations urging residents to skip work, school, and shopping. The protest was described as the largest anti‑ICE demonstration in Minnesota’s history, with participants chanting and playing music throughout the day[1][2].
Clergy Arrested for Exceeding Permit at MSP Airport Approximately 100 clergy members were detained outside the Minneapolis‑St. Paul International Airport after their demonstration exceeded the permitted scope and disrupted airline operations. Police issued misdemeanor citations for trespassing and failure to comply with officers, then released the demonstrators later that day. The arrests were highlighted by all three outlets as a high‑profile moment in the broader anti‑immigration enforcement campaign[1][2][3].
Business Owners Report Severe Economic Fallout Hundreds of Minnesota businesses, including restaurants, tattoo parlors, and toy stores, voluntarily shut their doors on Friday in solidarity with the protests. Kim Bartmann’s restaurants saw sales drop more than 30 % over three weeks, while other owners cited moral opposition and fear of detention as reasons for closure. The economic impact was noted as a direct response to the “Operation Metro Surge” enforcement effort that has been active for over six weeks[1][1].
Children Detained and ICE Officer’s Fatal Shooting ICE detained several minors, including a two‑year‑old girl named Chloe and a five‑year‑old boy, Liam Ramos, who were taken with their fathers during enforcement actions; emergency legal actions secured Chloe’s release. Additionally, four Columbia Heights students aged five to 17 were detained, raising concerns about family separations. The protests were further inflamed by the homicide of 37‑year‑old mother Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer, a detail reported by both King5 and AP[2][3].
Sources
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1.
BBC: Minnesota Businesses Shut Down as Thousands Protest ICE Operation Amid Harsh Cold: Details widespread business closures, subzero protest turnout, Operation Metro Surge background, clergy arrests, and child detentions, emphasizing economic fallout and the scale of the rally.
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2.
King5: Thousands rally against immigration enforcement in subzero Minnesota as clergy are arrested at MSP airport: Highlights the airport clergy arrests, subzero turnout, broader coalition, Renee Good’s homicide, and specific cases of detained children, focusing on human‑interest angles.
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3.
AP: Minnesota anti-immigration protest leads to about 100 clergy arrests at MSP: Concentrates on the clergy arrests, protest coalition, Renee Good’s death, and child detention incidents, noting the disruption of a Sunday church service as a catalyst.
Timeline
2025 – ICE officer fatally shoots Renee Good, a 37‑year‑old mother of three; the state medical examiner rules the death a homicide and an independent autopsy confirms multiple gunshot wounds, igniting a wave of civil‑rights activism across Minnesota[3].
Dec 2025 – The Trump administration launches ICE’s “Operation Metro Surge,” deploying thousands of federal officers to target “criminal aliens” in a public‑safety campaign; the operation runs for more than six weeks and draws criticism that migrants without records and U.S. citizens are also being detained[1].
Mid‑Dec 2025 – Local restaurateur Kim Bartmann reports a 30 % sales drop over three weeks as customers stay home in solidarity with migrants and fear detention, while other owners such as Corey Lahm shut shops citing moral opposition and economic threat[1].
Jan 23, 2026 – Thousands march through downtown Minneapolis in Arctic sub‑zero weather, gathering at the Timberwolves arena; organizers urge Minnesotans to skip work, school and stores, describing the rally as the largest anti‑ICE demonstration in state history[1][3].
Jan 23, 2026 – About 100 clergy demonstrators exceed their permit at Minneapolis‑St. Paul International Airport, are cited for trespassing and failure to comply, and are briefly detained before release, marking a high‑profile clash between faith groups and law enforcement[2][3].
Jan 23, 2026 – A district judge issues an emergency injunction ordering the release of two‑year‑old Chloe into her lawyer’s custody after she is detained with her father during an ICE raid, highlighting family‑separation concerns[3].
Jan 23, 2026 – DHS confirms the detention of five‑year‑old Liam Ramos after his father abandons the family during an arrest, sending the child to the Dilley family detention center in Texas and sparking allegations of forced separation[3].
Jan 23, 2026 – Hundreds of Minnesota businesses—including restaurants, tattoo parlors and toy stores—close for the day as organizers call for a work boycott; the closures occur despite temperatures of –23 °C, amplifying the economic impact of the protests[1].
Jan 24, 2026 – The protest’s momentum continues into the next day, with organizers reaffirming calls for continued civil disobedience and business owners reporting ongoing revenue losses, while ICE’s Operation Metro Surge remains active into its seventh week[1].