Tenant and labor unions in Minneapolis and St. Paul are planning what they describe as the “largest rent strike in the United States in the last 100 years.”
A Potential Rent Strike in Minnesota
Beginning March 1, nearly 26,000 workers, represented by a coalition of unions, have pledged to withhold rent if Minnesota Governor Tim Walz does not address their demands for an eviction moratorium and rent relief. The unions involved are Twin Cities Tenants, SEIU Local 26, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota/Iowa, UNITE HERE Local 17, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 1005, and Communication Workers of America (CWA) 7250.
Organizers argue that a rent freeze is necessary following “nearly three months of federal occupation” stemming from President Trump’s “Operation Metro Surge.” This operation involved the deployment of approximately 3,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and others to the area, resulting in multiple fatal shootings and reported civil rights violations, including explicit racial profiling.
The unions state that the presence of these agents has negatively impacted the financial stability of low-income tenants across the Twin Cities. Evictions in Hennepin County increased by 45% between this January and last, while requests for financial assistance have nearly doubled, according to a report from the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.
Community members attempted to mitigate the financial strain by raising funds through GoFundMe campaigns, but these efforts proved insufficient to assist all those at risk of eviction. On January 30, organizers staged sit-ins at the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority and outside the governor’s mansion to demand action.
Governor Walz’s office stated that he “does not currently have the legal authority to enact an eviction moratorium.” However, city councils in both Minneapolis and St. Paul have passed nonbinding resolutions urging him to take action. Council Member Aisha Chughtai of Minneapolis stated she will participate in the rent strike if a solution is not reached.
Even as ICE’s operation draws to a close, some agents remain deployed and are continuing arrests. Organizers emphasize that addressing the economic fallout from the surge will be crucial, even after the operation ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is prompting this rent strike?
The planned rent strike is a response to what organizers describe as a “federal occupation” by ICE agents and the resulting economic hardship faced by tenants in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
How many workers are involved in the potential strike?
Nearly 26,000 workers, represented by a coalition of six unions, have pledged to withhold rent if their demands are not met.
What are the demands of the unions?
The unions are demanding that Governor Tim Walz enact an eviction moratorium and provide rent relief for tenants affected by the recent ICE presence.
What role will community involvement play in addressing this crisis?
