People and businesses across the U.S. are calling for “no work, no school, no shopping” as part of a “National Shutdown” on Friday to oppose the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minneapolis.
In Instagram posts created and shared by the North Carolina chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, organizers said they “support the call from Minnesota-based Black and Somali student organizations” and will plan to join the national day of action to “say ICE out of everywhere.”
The posts are calling on people to walk out of school, call out of work, not buy or shop, close businesses and protest on the streets. Many celebrities have promoted the strike, including rapper Macklemore, actor Pedro Pascal and singers Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande.
Multiple businesses nationwide announced they would be closed during Friday’s “blackout,” and some schools preemptively canceled classes in anticipation of mass absences. Some students are planning walkouts, while others plan to gather in churches, courthouses and city centers in solidarity.
The walk-outs are planned mostly for noon, with one happening at the CCB Plaza in Durham and one on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. Students at NC State University are planning to walk out of their classes and gather at the Bell Tower.
So far, the following businesses have pledged online that they will be joining the strike and closing their businesses for the day.
- ZenFish Poke Bar
- Meantime Coffee on UNC-Chapel Hill
- Nail Station
- Creative Tattoo Service
- Cocoa Cinnamon
- East Durham Sweet Shoppe
- Homebucha Kombucha
- Redhead Hemp
- Scrap Exchange
- Paleteria La Monarca Michoacana
- Pachanga Party Supply
- Compare Food trucks
- El Mariachi NC
- Chronic Guru
- Hair Depot Supercenter
- Arroyo Tires
- Bull City Detailing
- La Bodeguita
- Laundromat (East Durham)
- Moroleon Supermarket
- Peluquieria Belleza A La Moda
Some other businesses have said online that while they don’t have the financial support to be able to close for the day, they will be offering resources and support for those who do close.
The Left Hook, a small batch roaster and coffee counter in Raleigh, posted on Instagram, “We are a super small business and genuinely can’t afford to stop services. Please come by for a coffee and take a minute to check in as needed. We are and always will be a safe space for folks who respect the well being of others.”
The demonstrations come almost a week after Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, was shot multiple times as he used his cellphone to record Border Patrol officers conducting an immigration enforcement operation. The death only reignited scrutiny over the administration’s tactics after the Jan. 7 death of Renee Good, who was fatally shot behind the wheel of her vehicle by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.
“The people of the Twin Cities have shown the way for the whole country – to stop ICE’s reign of terror, we need to SHUT IT DOWN,” some of the “National Shutdown” organizers wrote on their website.
Endorsers of this shutdown include organizations such as the 50501, Community Movement Builders and Engaged Defenders for Democracy. Some of these organizers have previously hosted nationwide strikes and protests, including the “No Kings” protest.
Organizers are planning another round of “No Kings”—which will be the third of its kind, all during the duration of Trump’s second term—at the end of March.
The Associated Press contributed to this reporting.
