As a nationwide economic blackout protesting federal immigration policy rippled across the country on Friday, small businesses in Iowa City responded by closing their doors, limiting hours, remaining open while donating proceeds, or turning their storefronts into spaces for community gathering — all while grappling with the economic realities of running a local business.
The blackout was organized as a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions and federal immigration policies, following heightened attention on immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis, Minnesota due to the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Originally established by John Schwarz, and his organization The People’s Union USA, the economic boycott was created to protest corporate power and systematic change. Similarly, activist organizations in Minneapolis organized “ICE Out” to encourage participants to withhold spending and labor for the day as a way to apply economic pressure and demonstrate solidarity with immigrant communities…