A wave of coordinated demonstrations, dubbed the ‘National Shutdown,’ swept across the United States as thousands of protesters mobilized against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The movement, catalyzed by the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents, prompted widespread civil action with participants urged to abstain from work, education, and commerce on January 30th.
Minneapolis emerged as the epicenter of dissent, where large-scale protests unfolded following the deaths of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, and Renee Good. Pretti’s killing, which occurred after Good’s January 7th death, marked the second fatal shooting by federal immigration officials in the city, prompting the U.S. Justice Department to initiate a civil rights investigation.
Visual symbolism dominated the protests as demonstrators formed a massive ‘SOS’ signal on the frozen surface of Lake Bde Maka Ska in south Minneapolis, while others marched through urban centers carrying an enlarged replica of the U.S. Constitution’s Preamble. The cultural dimension of the movement gained prominence when Bruce Springsteen performed his newly released tribute song ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ at a local concert.
The political landscape revealed deepening divisions as the Trump administration defended its immigration enforcement strategy. Tom Homan, the administration’s border coordinator, suggested potential reduction of federal forces contingent on local cooperation, emphasizing strategic refinement rather than mission abandonment. President Trump reiterated his commitment to national security, stating ‘We will keep our country safe, we’ll do whatever we can to keep our country safe.’
Operation Metro Surge, which deployed approximately 3,000 federal agents to Minnesota at presidential directive, has drawn significant criticism. While the Department of Homeland Security maintains it targets ‘the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens,’ opponents argue the campaign has ensnared immigrants with clean records and U.S. citizens alike. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have jointly demanded the withdrawal of federal agents from their jurisdiction.
The protest movement expanded beyond Minneapolis to include major demonstrations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington D.C., with organizers highlighting additional casualties including Silverio Villegas-Gonzales, who was fatally shot by an ICE agent in September 2025.