A protest took place Thursday night at a Target store in Chicago’s West Loop, resulting in the detention of seven adults. The demonstrators were calling on Target to publicly denounce U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) amid heightened scrutiny of the agency’s actions.
Demonstrations and Arrests
The People’s Lobby organized the protest, during which participants attempted to block exits and shut down the store. According to Chicago police, seven individuals – three men and four women – were charged with criminal trespass to property. The demonstration included faith leaders and elected officials, and followed a series of similar actions in the Chicago area.
Protesters carried signs with slogans such as “Whose side are you on?” and “Stop corporate collusion with ICE.” They connected the recent deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis to their demand for Target, a Minneapolis-based company, to take a firmer position against the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Calls for Corporate Accountability
Emilio Rodriguez, a former environmental justice organizer, stated, “We don’t want to see corporations take up space and not show up for us. We know that they put profits over people, and we want to show that we’re not standing for that.” Rodriguez emphasized the need for a global stance, asserting that Target must listen to demands if it wishes to continue profiting.
Organizers with “ICE Out of Minnesota” have also called on Target to publicly oppose ICE’s presence in the state. Videos circulating earlier this month showed federal agents detaining two Target employees in Minnesota. Target has not issued a public comment on these videos.
Incoming Target CEO Michael Fiddelke recently sent a message to the company’s more than 400,000 employees calling recent violence “incredibly painful,” but did not directly address immigration enforcement. He also signed a letter with over 60 other Minnesota CEOs calling for “an immediate de-escalation of tensions,” without specifically mentioning ICE.
National Action Planned
Thursday’s protest preceded a planned national shutdown on Friday organized to protest ICE. The National Shutdown website lists hundreds of endorsing organizations, including groups like Indivisible Chicago and Trans Up Front Illinois. Several Chicago-area cafes and restaurants, including Bueno Days and Drip Collective, are participating in the strike.
People’s Lobby executive director Will Tanzman stated, “People across the country are not OK with the devastation and murder coming from the Trump regime, and are not going to allow business as usual from the corporations that are enabling Trump and ICE.” Southwest Side Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez referred to those arrested as “freedom fighters” and called for action against Target, stating, “Corporations like Target have blood on their hands… Let’s take them down.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the protest at the Target store?
The protest was organized by the People’s Lobby to demand that Target publicly denounce U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in response to the agency’s actions and recent deaths, including that of Alex Pretti.
How did Target respond to the protests and calls for a statement?
Target has not publicly commented on the videos of ICE detaining its employees. Incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke issued a statement calling recent violence “incredibly painful” but did not directly address immigration enforcement.
What is the planned national shutdown on Friday?
The National Shutdown, planned for Friday, is a protest against ICE calling for “no school, no work and no shopping,” with support from hundreds of organizations across the country.
As these events unfold, will increased public pressure influence Target’s future stance on immigration enforcement?
