In a significant protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), numerous small businesses in Omaha have announced they will remain closed this Friday. This initiative is part of a wider shutdown strike advocating for the cessation of work, education, and consumer activities to halt funding for ICE.
Megan Hunt, a Nebraska state senator and proprietor of Shop Five Nine and Ceremony Shop, declared in an Instagram video on Tuesday, “Our doors will not be open; it will be a paid day off for our staff.” This statement highlights her support for the strike and her commitment to providing a paid day off for her employees.
The protest has gained traction among various Omaha businesses, including Felius, Sweet Magnolia’s Bake Shop, Izzy’s Pizza, Dusk Goods & Gifts, Albany and Avers, Tiny House Bar, The Platypus, iDLE Wine & Goods, Sheelytown Market, Made In Omaha, and Pop Fiction Bookstore. Each of these establishments has communicated their strike participation through social media updates.
Felius, a nonprofit organization, explained their involvement in the strike through a social media post. “Since we are a nonprofit, we are managed by a board of directors, and a lot of the decision for us to take part in this national strike simply came from our values as a nonprofit organization,” stated Bre Phelan, the founding president of Felius.
Similarly, STUFF Creative Reuse, a business located in Lincoln, notified its patrons via Facebook about its closure on Friday, aligning with the larger movement.
