In response to the recent killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis, businesses and workers across Southern California are participating in a nationwide protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 15, 2024. Activists are calling for a “national shutdown,” urging individuals to refrain from work, school, and shopping as a means of demonstrating their opposition to ICE’s activities.
The National Shutdown campaign has gained traction, with numerous workers and business owners planning to disrupt normal operations. Daniela Diaz, a representative of Proof Bakery, a worker-owned cooperative in Atwater Village, confirmed that the bakery would close its doors in solidarity with the movement. The storefront now displays signs that read “ICE out” in Spanish, along with a notice explaining the reason for the day’s closure. Diaz expressed her hopes for the protest, stating, “We want to show solidarity. We’ve seen historically that strikes work. I hope the violence stops. I want ICE out of our communities.”
Community Voices Echo Concerns
The protests follow alarming reports of ICE activity in Boyle Heights, a predominantly Latino and immigrant neighborhood that has long been a center for community organizing. On the evening prior to the planned shutdown, community advocates reported that ICE agents conducted operations that resulted in the detention of several local vendors and residents. Claudia Mancia, a senior community organizer with the Boyle Heights Immigrant Rights Network, recounted the situation, saying, “A flower vendor that is very well known in our community got taken by ICE.”
According to the Centro Community Service Organization, over six individuals were apprehended by federal agents in Boyle Heights on March 13, including a father who was simply taking his children a meal for school. Mancia emphasized the significance of the upcoming protest, stating, “Tomorrow’s action is very important because we need to make an impact.”
The flyers promoting the shutdown have been displayed by businesses throughout Boyle Heights, fostering a sense of unity among community members. Mancia highlighted the importance of standing together, declaring, “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.”
As the day of action approaches, the call for solidarity resonates strongly within the community. Local businesses and workers aim to make their voices heard, challenging the actions of ICE and advocating for the rights of immigrants.
