Outrage over the recent killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis has ignited a wave of protests across the United States. On March 15, 2024, a coordinated effort known as the “national shutdown” will see businesses, schools, and community members refraining from work and shopping to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The movement aims to disrupt normal activities as part of a broader call to cease funding for the agency.
In Los Angeles, local businesses are stepping up to participate in this nationwide initiative. Daniela Diaz, a representative of Proof Bakery, a worker-owned cooperative in Atwater Village, confirmed that the bakery will close for the day in solidarity with the national movement. “We want to show solidarity,” Diaz stated, adding, “We’ve seen historically that strikes work. I hope the violence stops. I want ICE out of our communities.” The storefront features signs reading “ICE out” in Spanish, alongside a notice explaining the closure.
Community advocates in Boyle Heights have expressed their concerns regarding recent federal immigration operations, which they claim resulted in the detention of several local residents. Claudia Mancia, a senior community organizer with the Boyle Heights Immigrant Rights Network, reported that a well-known flower vendor was taken by ICE during a recent operation. She noted that more than six individuals were reportedly detained, including local vendors and a father delivering food to his children.
In response to these events, many businesses in Boyle Heights are displaying flyers promoting the planned shutdown. Mancia emphasized the importance of community unity, stating, “Tomorrow’s action is very important because we need to make an impact.” Boyle Heights, a predominantly Latino and immigrant neighborhood, has long been a hub for community organizing and activism.
Mancia asserted that fear should not deter community members from standing together. “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,” she said, highlighting the determination of local advocates.
As local businesses and community members prepare for the national shutdown, the events in Minneapolis have resonated deeply, fueling a collective call for justice and systemic change. The actions taken on March 15 reflect a growing sentiment against the practices of ICE and a unified demand for the protection of immigrant rights across the nation.
