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What is ‘National Shutdown Day’ on Jan. 30 — and do you plan to participate?
Activists are calling for a nationwide “no work, no school, no shopping” shutdown to protest ICE actions.
Activists across the U.S. are calling for a one-day “National Shutdown” on Friday, Jan. 30, urging people to stop working, attending school, and spending money as a form of protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The call to action has gained traction as anger grows over ICE enforcement in Minneapolis, including the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents — events that have sparked demonstrations and national debate over immigration enforcement and accountability.
What is the National Shutdown on Friday, January 30?
Activists are urging people to take part in a “National Shutdown” this Friday, Jan. 30 to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, calling for a day of “no work, no school, no shopping.”
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The goal, according to the website nationalshutdown.org, is meant to put pressure on federal officials by disrupting daily routines, and drawing attention to concerns about the agency’s immigration enforcement.
“The people of the Twin Cities have shown the way for the whole country – to stop ICE’s reign of terror, we need to SHUT IT DOWN,” according to the website.
Why is there a call for a “shutdown”?
The shutdown follows a series of deadly encounters involving immigration enforcement in Minneapolis.
On Jan. 7, 37-year-old Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent during a federal operation. Protests erupted in the days that followed.
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During one of those protests last Satruday, 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, was shot and killed during a confrontation with immigration agents.
Bystander video appears to show Pretti being tackled as he tried to shield a woman who had been pepper-sprayed. Federal officials said agents fired defensive shots after realizing he was armed. Videos show Pretti holding a phone, and footage indicates the gun he had on him had already been removed by officers at the time he was shot by two agents.
The incidents in Minneapolis have raised broader questions about ICE oversight and accountability.
In response, Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino and some of his agents were expected to leave Minnesota Tuesday as part of the shift in enforcement strategy.
What’s the Boston and New England connection?
In New England, the events have drawn responses from elected officials and advocacy groups.
In Massachusetts, Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden joined a growing list of officials condemning ICE’s actions in Minneapolis. In Maine, Sen. Susan Collins has asked federal officials to pause ICE operations in both Maine and Minnesota.
Several local New England organizations have endorsed the shutdown. According to nationalshutdown.org, endorsements have come from student organizations at Harvard and MIT; Boston Education Justice Alliance; Boston South Asian Coalition; Malden Education Association; Nauset Citizens Alliance; Worcester Indivisible; 50501 Rhode Island; and Vermont Workers Center.
We want to hear from you
We want to know: Do you plan to participate in the “National Shutdown” on Friday, Jan. 30? Will you go to work, school, or shop/run errands as usual — or change your routine? Let us know in the form below or e-mail us at [email protected].
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