‘Enough Is Enough’: Hundreds of Minnesota Businesses Take Stand Against ICE

After protesters called for a pause on economic activity and work to strike against the federal immigration crackdown, many business owners kept their doors shut on Friday.

Parts of the city seemed like a ghost town on Friday morning, with many cafes and local coffee chains shuttered, signs posted in their windows expressing solidarity with the strike.

One of the few places still serving coffee was Misfit in Minneapolis, which sits in a large warehouse like building west of downtown. The owner, Marcus Parkansky, said his way of participating in the strike was to remain open on Friday but only offer coffee, pastries and espresso shots free of charge. And, thanks to a donation from a woman in Texas, there will also be a bottle of bourbon and a bottle of Baileys, for anyone who wants to spike their cup.

As to the point of the strike, Mr. Parkansky said he hopes it shows the federal government how organized Minneapolis is and how much people oppose the immigration enforcement surge. “What we want to see is for the shenanigans to stop,” he said.

Word of Friday’s strike and protests spread “like a wildfire” in the preceding days, said Jake Anderson, an executive board member with the St. Paul Federation of Educators, a labor union representing teachers and educational support professionals. Hundreds of businesses, mostly in Minneapolis and St. Paul, said they would close, while others have vowed to pause any economic activity, stay home from work or school, or fast to show support.

“There’s a time to stand up for things, and this is it,” said Alison Kirwin, the owner of Al’s Breakfast, a restaurant in Minneapolis that closed on Friday. “If it takes away from a day of our income, that is worthwhile.”

Andrew Schoenzeit, who owns Zipps Liquors in Minneapolis, said his business would remain open on Friday. But he said he supported the strike and had no problem with the one employee of his who he said requested the day off to protest.

Mike Logan, the president of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, said he was also supportive of businesses closing in protest but would not encourage them to do so. “The last thing we need is a slowdown of commerce,” he said.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5825472&forum_id=2Elisa#49611546)