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Thousands rallied in south Minneapolis on Saturday to protest increased immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
The Trump administration launched “Operation Metro Surge” on Dec. 1, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement effort in Minneapolis, following President Donald Trump’s disparaging remarks about Somalis.
At least 400 people have been arrested during the operation, according to ICE, though advocates say the majority had no criminal records.
Protestors carried signs reading “ICE out MSP” to denounce the operation.
“Our people are getting snatched every day from the streets. We have people who are missing; we don’t know where they are,” said Nimco Ahmed, an organizer with the Somali American Coalition Action Fund. “We’re here to protect our community, our assets and everything that we stand for.”
Silvia Ibanez, a Minneapolis teacher, said immigrants feel under attack. She said many of her students are afraid and families are also concerned about sending them to school.
“There is a lot of fear in the community. There is people that is afraid to go to work. There is people that is afraid to buy groceries,” she said. “We are in a crisis.”
A diverse coalition of 46 organizations co-hosted the rally and march, which included indigenous drumming and dance.
Demonstrators marched down Lake Street from Mercado Central to Karmel Mall, hubs for Latino and Somali businesses, and near where ICE recently clashed with activists.
Emilia Gonzalez Avalos, executive director of Unidos MN, said business is down 80 percent for many of the shops in the area as immigrant customers — and owners — fear leaving their homes.
Organizers encouraged demonstrators to shop at those businesses following the march.
“We needed to reclaim our corridor. We needed to show up for each other. We needed to show the nation, the country and the state, that in South Minneapolis Lake Street, we band with each other, we support each other. And this agenda is not bringing safety. It's not bringing prosperity,” said Gonzalez Avalos.
Carlos Lopez, owner of Taco Taxi, has operated his business on Lake Street for about 20 years and said business has been slow in recent weeks. He stood outside Saturday afternoon passing out coffee and cookies to protestors with a smile.
“Thank you for your support,” read his sign.
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