Minneapolis residents gathered Friday afternoon for what organizers are calling the state’s largest coordinated economic action in recent years, as faith leaders, labor unions, and community organizations united behind a single demand: federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents must leave Minnesota.

At a glance

The protest, officially named “ICE Out of Minnesota: Day of Truth and Freedom,” called for a complete economic shutdown across the state. Residents were urged not to work, attend school, or shop as part of the demonstration.

The march begins at 2 p.m. at The Commons, located at 425 Portland Ave. S. in Minneapolis, and will proceed approximately one mile north to Target Center at 600 1st Avenue N., where participants will rally indoors.

The action comes in response to what Governor Tim Walz described as a federal campaign that has created an environment of fear across Minnesota communities. The tensions reached a breaking point on January 7, when ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot and killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis poet and mother of three. Federal officials claimed Good posed a threat to officers, but Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey disputed this characterization after reviewing video footage.

“We are asking every single person, every family member, every teacher, every bus driver, every childcare worker, to come together, to be a community, to stand with one another,” said JaNaé Bates Imari, auxiliary minister at Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Paul, during the January 13 press conference announcing the action. “What we have seen and what we have witnessed, what we have all gone through, is not normal.”

The coalition organizing Friday’s action includes 90 organizations, ranging from major labor unions to grassroots community groups. Union endorsements include Service Employees Local 26, UNITE HERE Local 17, Communications Workers Local 7250, the St. Paul Federation of Educators, the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation AFL-CIO, and the Minnesota Nurses Association.

According to multiple sources tracking participation, nearly 500 businesses announced plans to close for the day. The closures span the entire state, from Minneapolis and St. Paul to Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud, and smaller communities across Minnesota.

The list of participating businesses includes restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, bookstores, art galleries, fitness centers, and nine grocery cooperatives. Mississippi Market Co-op closed all three of its St. Paul locations, while both Wedge Community Co-op stores in Minneapolis, Eastside Food Co-op, both Seward Community Co-op locations, and River Market Co-op in Stillwater also shuttered for the day. Employees at these locations will still receive pay despite the closures.

Among the hundreds of businesses closing are Arbeiter Brewing, Backstory Coffee, Black Garnet Books, Meteor bar, Brasa restaurants, El Burrito Mercado, Bogart’s Doughnut Co., Mississippi Market Co-op, and DelSur Empanadas, among many others. The Bell Museum in St. Paul also announced it would close in solidarity.

Protesters gather in Minneapolis’ Powderhorn Park on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (Photo by Zack Benz)

“As a cooperative, we believe our shared labor, time, and economic participation are powerful tools,” the participating grocery stores said in a joint statement. “We are taking unified action with no work, no school, and no shopping to show we will not quietly endure fear and violence in our communities.”

Not all businesses could afford to close. Economic realities mean some small businesses must remain open to survive, even as they stand in solidarity with the protest’s goals. Several establishments chose to remain open while redirecting proceeds to immigrant support organizations. Senti in Edina pledged to donate 100 percent of Friday’s profits to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, while Wandering Leaf Brewing in St. Paul committed to donating two dollars from every beer sold to Neighbourhood House. Modist Brewing in Minneapolis opened its taproom to serve free hot dogs to protesters, while remaining closed for business.

The economic impact of the closures extends beyond Friday. Many immigrant-owned restaurants and businesses have been struggling for weeks, with customers and employees afraid to leave their homes due to the heavy federal presence. Los Ocampo, which operates seven restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul, temporarily closed all locations citing the ongoing federal activity.

Teresa Whittet, co-owner of Positively 3rd Street Bakery in Duluth, acknowledged the financial toll of participating in the action, stating frankly that the closure would hurt the business financially. Despite this, the bakery closed in support of the community.

Protesters march from Minneapolis’ Powderhorn Park on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. “Somos la voz de los que no pueden gritar hoy” translates from Spanish to English as “We are the voice of those who cannot shout today.” (Photo by Zack Benz)

Organizers of the Day of Truth and Freedom have put forth four central demands: federal ICE agents must leave Minnesota immediately; the officer who killed Renee Good must be held legally accountable; ICE must be denied additional federal funding and investigated for rights violations; and Minnesota businesses must stop allowing ICE to use their properties or services.

Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou, president of the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, said that labor federations across the state are encouraging participation. “It’s time for every single Minnesotan who loves this state and the notion of truth and freedom to raise their voices and deepen their solidarity for our neighbors and co-workers living under this federal occupation.”

The demonstration takes place amid dangerously cold temperatures, with forecasters predicting a high of negative 10 to negative 12 degrees Fahrenheit. Organizers changed the rally location to move indoors at Target Center, allowing more people to safely participate despite the extreme weather.

The federal operation, known as Operation Metro Surge, began in early January and has brought an estimated 2,000 federal agents to Minnesota, with the Department of Homeland Security announcing it would send hundreds more. The operation has resulted in numerous arrests, reports of families being separated, and allegations of civil rights violations, including the detention of U.S. citizens and the use of excessive force.

Local officials have expressed concern about the operation’s tactics. Several Democratic state lawmakers threw their support behind Friday’s strike during a press conference earlier this week, with some calling the federal presence an occupation of their state.

Vice President JD Vance visited Minneapolis on Thursday and defended the federal operation, while Border Patrol Commander at Large Greg Bovino alleged that local law enforcement has not cooperated with federal agents. Minneapolis police officials denied receiving requests for assistance.

The complete list of businesses participating in the economic blackout continues to grow and can be found on the 50501 Movement’s Facebook page and through local news sources maintaining running lists of closures.

Protesters march from Minneapolis’ Powderhorn Park on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (Photo by Zack Benz)

Complete List: Minnesota businesses and organizations closed Friday, January 23, 2026

In Recognition of ICE Out of Minnesota: Day of Truth and Freedom

Nearly 500 businesses, organizations, and institutions across Minnesota closed their doors Friday in solidarity with the statewide economic blackout protesting federal immigration enforcement operations. While not all small businesses can afford to close, many stand in solidarity with the movement’s goals and values.

Grocery Cooperatives (All locations closed, employees paid)

Wedge Community Co-op (both Minneapolis locations)
Seward Community Co-op (both Minneapolis locations)
Eastside Food Co-op (Minneapolis)
Mississippi Market Co-op (all three St. Paul locations)
River Market Co-op (Stillwater)

Restaurants & bars

Minneapolis

112 Eatery
A-Side Public House (St. Paul location also)
Angry Catfish Bicycle and Coffee
Arbeiter Brewing
Asian Duck Cafe
Backstory Coffee
Bar Brava
Bichota Coffee
Bogart’s Doughnut Co.
Brasa (multiple locations)
Broders’ Cucina Italiana
Brühaven Craft Co. (closed until 4 p.m.)
Cardigan Donuts (US Bank and IDS Center locations closed at noon; City Center closes 5:30 p.m.)
Chimborazo (Minneapolis and St. Paul)
Coastal Seafoods (both Minneapolis and St. Paul locations)
DelSur Empanadas (Minnetonka)
Dogwood Coffee (all three locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul)
Falling Knife Brewing Co.
Farina Rossa (offering free meal or coffee 12-1:30 p.m.)
May Day Cafe (closed for business but offering free meals 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.)
Martina
Merlins Rest Pub (closed for regular service, private invitation-only gathering)
Meteor
Modist Brewing (closed for business, taproom open 12-6 p.m. with free hot dogs)
Mothership Pizza Paradise
Mother Co. Plants
Nico’s Taco and Tequila Bar (Minneapolis and St. Paul)
World Street Kitchen

St. Paul

Casa Azul Agave Mexican Restaurant
Carnitas Don Tachos
Catzen Coffee (closed for business but open as warming space with free drip coffee)
Claddagh Coffee
Coffee Cup
La Costa Mexican Sports Bar & Grill
La Cucaracha Mexican Restaurant
Day By Day Cafe
El Burrito Mercado
Emerald Lounge
Estelle
The Finnish Bistro
Flava Cafe
Marc Heu Patisserie Paris (St. Paul and Minneapolis)
Marigold (Minneapolis and St. Paul)
Mario’s
Marquez Grill
Mucci’s Italian
Nelson Cheese & Deli
Nina’s Cafe

Greater Minnesota & Suburbs

Churchill St. Restaurant (Shoreview)
Senti (Edina) – staying open, donating 100% of profits to Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
Paddlefish Brewing (Saint Peter) – staying open, donating 50% of revenue
Wandering Leaf Brewing (St. Paul) – staying open, donating $2 per beer sold
The Lowbrow (Minneapolis) – staying open, donating 100% of profits

Coffee shops & cafes

Angry Catfish Bicycle and Coffee (Minneapolis)
Backstory Coffee (Minneapolis)
Caydence Records & Coffee (St. Paul)
Catzen Coffee (St. Paul)
Claddagh Coffee (St. Paul)
Dogwood Coffee (all locations)
Metta Coffee
Quixotic Coffee
Spyhouse Coffee (all six locations)

Bookstores & record shops

Birchbark Books (Minneapolis)
Black Garnet Books
Cadenza Music (St. Paul)
Caydence Records & Coffee (St. Paul)
Cheapo Records (Blaine, Minneapolis, and St. Paul)
DreamHaven Books and Comics
Eclipse Music (West St. Paul)
Niche Books (Lakeville) – donating 10% of proceeds to La Viña
Next Chapter Booksellers (St. Paul)
Red Balloon Bookshop
Wild Rumpus Bookstore

Museums & cultural institutions

The Bakken Museum
Bell Museum (St. Paul)
The Main Cinema
Minnesota Center for Book Arts (Minneapolis) – limited access with buzzer entry
The Museum of Russian Art
Walker Art Center (Minneapolis)

Arts & creative spaces

An Opera Theatre (St. Paul) – production postponed
Bench Pressed Letterpress (Minneapolis/Seward)
Blackbird Revolt (Minneapolis) – open for poster-making and community activities
Center for Lost Objects (St. Paul)
Dock 6 Pottery (Saint Anthony) – gallery closed
Fair Play Projects (St. Paul)
FilmNorth (St. Paul)
Forecast Public Art (St. Paul)
Joy & Co. (Cook County)

Retail & specialty shops

1st & 2nd Thrift Store (Cook County)
Betsy Bowen Studio (Cook County)
The Big Lake (Cook County)
Carina Creative (St. Paul)
Carina Photographics (St. Paul)
The Cargo Bike Shop (St. Paul) – open afternoon as warming space with free coffee
Daily Dose Retro (St. Paul)
Darn. Knit. (anyway) (Stillwater)
Electric Strawberry Piercing (St. Paul)
Evergreen Collective (St. Paul)
Everyday People (St. Paul)
Evelyn’s Emporium (St. Paul)
Grand Marais Art Colony (Cook County)
Lady Superior Bottle Shop (Cook County)
Mastel’s Health Foods (St. Paul)
Mischief Toy Store (St. Paul)
Moloney’s Irish Imports (St. Paul)
Moona Moono (Minneapolis/Uptown)
Nicollet ACE Hardware (Minneapolis) – staying open, donating all profits
North Roads Knits (Cook County)
North & State (St. Paul)
Points Unknown (Cook County) – closed except previously scheduled dog sled reservations
Scruffy Dog Vintage Emporium (Cook County)
Serge and Jane (44th and France)
Tandem Vintage

Restaurants with extended/ongoing closures

Bar Brava (Minneapolis) – closed for the week
Casa Deli (Hopkins and Savage) – closed until further notice
Casa Iberica (Inver Grove Heights) – reopened Jan. 20 with flexible hours
La Casita (Coon Rapids) – temporarily closed
Los Ocampo (all seven Minneapolis and St. Paul locations) – temporarily closed
Mexico City Cafe (St. Louis Park) – closed until further notice
La Michoacana Monarca (St. Paul) – closed through Jan. 23, reopening Jan. 24
Nacho’s Mexican Grill (Hopkins) – closed until further notice

Greater Minnesota (Cook County/Grand Marais Area)

The Angry Trout
Java Moose
Poplar Haus (Gunflint Trail)
Positively 3rd Street Bakery (Duluth)

Financial & service organizations

Diverge Finance Cooperative (Minneapolis/St. Paul)

Businesses staying open & donating

Several businesses chose to remain open while redirecting proceeds to immigrant support:

Senti (Edina) – 100% of profits to Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
Wandering Leaf Brewing (St. Paul) – $2 per beer to Neighbourhood House
The Lowbrow (Minneapolis) – 100% of profits to Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
Nicollet ACE Hardware (Minneapolis) – all profits to Immigrant Law Center and Calvary Food Shelf
Paddlefish Brewing (Saint Peter) – 50% of revenue to Saint Peter Mexicana Market
Niche Books (Lakeville) – 10% of proceeds to La Viña
Modist Brewing (Minneapolis) – taproom open with free hot dogs for protesters

Note on Small Business Participation:

While this list represents hundreds of businesses across Minnesota, organizers acknowledge that not all small businesses can afford to close for a full day. Economic realities mean some establishments must remain open to survive, even as they express solidarity with the protest’s goals of protecting immigrant communities and demanding accountability from federal immigration authorities. The participation of nearly 500 businesses represents one of the largest coordinated economic actions in Minnesota’s recent history.

Additional closures due to weather: Some businesses and schools also closed Friday due to extreme cold temperatures, with wind chills reaching minus 30 to minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit across the state.

This list is based on publicly announced closures through The 50501 Movement, local news sources, and business social media announcements. Additional businesses may have participated without making public announcements.