Leaders in Minnesota are advocating for an economic blackout on January 23, dubbed the Day of Truth and Freedom. This effort encourages all residents to refrain from work, school, and shopping to protest the recent federal law enforcement surge known as Operation Metro Surge.
Background and Context
The announcement was made at a news conference in front of the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis. This initiative follows the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE officer, which has intensified local tensions regarding federal law enforcement practices.
Call to Action
Auxiliary Minister JaNaé Bates Imari from St. Paul’s Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church led the conference. She emphasized the need for Minnesotans to harness their economic influence and collective strength.
- “What we have seen is not normal,” Bates Imari stated.
- She called Good’s actions heroic, stating, “We will not let this stand.”
Rodrigo Cardoza, owner of Mercado Central, highlighted the adverse impact of Operation Metro Surge on small businesses, particularly among the immigrant community. He described the situation as “economic violence” affecting everyone in Minnesota.
Community Voices
Somali-American rideshare driver Abdikarim Hassan Qazi urged fellow drivers to join the economic blackout, expressing his experiences of mistreatment during the operation.
- “We’re facing a tsunami of hate sponsored by our own federal government,” he remarked.
Rev. Brian Herron from Zion Baptist Church framed the Day of Truth and Freedom as a spiritual struggle. He declared that light must drive out the darkness of hate.
Event Details
The Day of Truth and Freedom will feature a march and rally in downtown Minneapolis, starting at 2 p.m. Organizers believe this event will significantly impact the state, challenging the notion that residents must remain obedient to authority.
Union Support
Various unions, including the St. Paul Federation of Educators and Unite Here Local 17, have pledged their support for the event. Their participation indicates a broad coalition advocating for change in Minnesota.
As Minnesota prepares for January 23, the call to unity highlights a growing resistance against perceived injustices, setting the stage for a significant moment in the state’s history.
