Wisconsin Joins Nationwide Day of Action to Support Minnesota Amid ICE Crackdown
In a move to support Minnesota and protest the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, some Wisconsinites are participating in a national Day of Action on Friday. This initiative urges people to abstain from work, school, and spending.
Participants are encouraged to engage in “no school, no work, no shopping” activities, as part of the broader protest. Several Wisconsin businesses have aligned with this cause, with some choosing to close or redirect their profits to support immigrant rights. Monona Bakery and Eatery in Madison is among those closing for the day, while Strange Town restaurant in Milwaukee is donating a portion of its earnings to relevant causes.
Meanwhile, Ruby’s Bagels in Milwaukee plans to close early, allowing staff to attend protests. This sentiment is echoed by TJ Semanchin, owner of Wonderstate Coffee in Viroqua, who feels connected to Minnesota as “our neighbors to the west.” Wonderstate has decided to close its cafes but continues to pay its employees. “Now is the time to do what we can, to keep putting pressure on our politicians, to fight for accountability, to rein in ICE activities,” Semanchin stated.
In Milwaukee, a rally is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Cathedral Square Park, while University of Wisconsin-Madison students will walk out at 2 p.m., culminating in a rally at the state Capitol at 3:30 p.m. A few miles away, A Room of One’s Own Bookstore is closing its main shop but keeping an adjacent event space open for protest preparations.
This Day of Action follows a series of protests in Wisconsin sparked by President Donald Trump’s administration’s deployment of immigration agents to the Twin Cities. The protest’s urgency is driven by recent incidents involving federal agents’ actions, including the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota.
