Some local businesses taking part in a “General Strike” today in solidarity with anti-ICE protests in Minnesota

“No Work. No School. No Shopping. Stop Funding ICE.” That’s the slogan behind a nationwide day of action taking place today. There are variations on the slogan much like the name of the action itself. Some are calling it a “general strike,” and it’s also being called a “National Shutdown” by student groups from the University of Minnesota, who organized the first “shutdown” of the Twin Cities on January 23rd. 

The planned nationwide protests are a call for solidarity in response to the killings that have taken place this year by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. The Guardian reports that so far this year eight people have died in dealings with the federal agents. Most recently in Minnesota, Renee Good was shot dead in her car by a federal officer on January 7th and Alex Pretti was shot dead on the street during a protest on January 24th. Both were Minnesota residents.

Local businesses respond

Some businesses around the Morongo Basin are taking part in the general strike. Many restaurants, bars, and shops are posting to their socials in a spectrum of responses: some are fully closing for the day. Other businesses are staying open but donating to non-profits and other organizations. Some don’t mention it at all.

The ambiguous nature of the general strike has lent itself to many different kinds of reactions from businesses and individuals, but the local businesses that have publicly shown support for the general strike are all doing so with the message that they want ICE off of American streets.

Demonstrations planned throughout weekend

Along with the planned general strike, nationwide demonstrations are expected on Friday and to continue into the weekend. Here in the Morongo Basin there have been anti-ICE demonstrations on Highway 62 in both Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree for the last few weekends and those are both expected to continue this weekend.

As of Friday morning there haven’t been any local counter-protests announced.

Chain stores aren’t expected to be closed today, but if you want to shop or spend at a local business today you may want to check their socials or give them a call to see if they are open.