SoCal Businesses Unite for Nationwide Anti-ICE Protests

Outrage over the recent killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis has ignited a wave of protests across the United States, prompting a day of action set for September 29, 2023. Activists are organizing a “national shutdown,” urging individuals to refrain from attending work, school, or shopping as a form of protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The campaign’s website clearly states, “No work. No school. No shopping. Stop funding ICE.”

In Southern California, numerous businesses and workers are preparing to participate in the planned shutdown. Among them is Proof Bakery, a worker-owned cooperative located in Atwater Village. Daniela Diaz, a representative of the bakery, announced that they will close for the day to demonstrate solidarity with the movement. The bakery’s storefront features signs reading “ICE out” in Spanish, as well as notices explaining the closure.

“We want to show solidarity,” Diaz said. “We’ve seen historically that strikes work… I hope the violence stops. I want ICE out of our communities.”

Community Response and Activism

The urgency of this protest is underscored by recent incidents in Boyle Heights, where community advocates reported ICE operations that led to the detention of several local residents. According to Claudia Mancia, a senior community organizer with the Boyle Heights Immigrant Rights Network, federal agents took a well-known flower vendor during one such operation. Mancia stated, “Tomorrow’s action is very important, because we need to make an impact.”

Local organizations, such as the Centro Community Service Organization, have claimed that more than six individuals were apprehended by federal agents in Boyle Heights on September 27. This included local vendors and a father who was simply taking his children a meal to school. Businesses throughout the neighborhood are actively promoting the shutdown, displaying flyers to raise awareness.

The predominantly Latino and immigrant community of Boyle Heights has historically been a site of activism and organizing against federal immigration enforcement. Mancia emphasized the need for unity among residents, asserting, “We are not scared. Fear is not gonna drive us out of our communities. If anything, we’re here to drive them out of our communities.”

Looking Ahead

As the national shutdown approaches, the collective actions of businesses and community members reflect a growing movement against ICE’s operations and the impact of federal immigration policies on marginalized communities. The protest not only aims to disrupt the status quo but also seeks to foster a dialogue on the broader issues surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States.

With solidarity actions taking place across the country, individuals are encouraged to reflect on the implications of their participation in this nationwide demonstration. As communities come together to voice their concerns, the outcome of this day of action may have lasting effects on the national conversation regarding immigration and community safety.