Minnesota holds economic strike to protest ICE presence

Hundreds of Minnesota businesses closed in a coordinated economic strike and organised rallies to protest the presence and operations of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement; the Department of Homeland Security says thousands of federal officers have been deployed and has reported about 10,000 arrests.

Hundreds of businesses across Minnesota closed on Friday in a coordinated economic strike to protest the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Organisers asked residents to skip work or school and to refrain from shopping, and they planned rallies in St Paul and Minneapolis. The Department of Homeland Security has deployed thousands of federal officers under "Operation Metro Surge" and said about 10,000 arrests have been made in the state since the administration returned to office. A recent death in Minneapolis has prompted widespread protests and increased tensions between demonstrators and federal officers. Key facts: - Hundreds of businesses, including restaurants and small shops, closed as part of the economic protest. - Organisers called for residents to skip work or school and held planned rallies in St Paul and Minneapolis. - The Department of Homeland Security described the effort as "Operation Metro Surge," saying thousands of officers were deployed and reporting roughly 10,000 arrests. - Local officials and community leaders reported protests after a recent death in Minneapolis, and some demonstrations have involved clashes with federal officers. Summary: The strike disrupted local business activity and signalled organised community opposition to ICE operations in Minnesota. Undetermined at this time.