Target Faces Pressure Amid Expanding Anti-ICE Protests

Activists planned protests at over 25 Target stores across the United States to urge the retailer to oppose an immigration crackdown in Minnesota. The coalition known as ICE Out Minnesota has called for sit-ins and demonstrations at Target locations for one week, following recent events in Minneapolis where two residents died during anti-ICE protests.

Elan Axelbank, from the Minnesota chapter of Socialist Alternative, expressed frustration that Target, while claiming to support the community, has not confronted the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Protests are also expected in cities including Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia, but Target has not yet commented on these events.

Target became a focus for criticism after a video showed federal agents detaining two employees in Richfield, Minneapolis. Unidos Minnesota, part of the ICE Out Minnesota coalition, is targeting the Richfield store with their protests. One key demand from demonstrators is that Target should require federal agents to present court-approved warrants before entering their stores.

However, legal experts assert that ICE agents can access public areas of businesses without such warrants. Neil Saunders, a market research director, added that Target must comply with the law, which limits its ability to prevent ICE operations.

Target’s new CEO, Michael Fiddelke, condemned violence in the community following the deaths of two residents but did not directly address the immigration crackdown. Recent protests come just a year after previous boycotts against the company’s diversity initiatives. The situation remains a concern for Target as it faces other business challenges, with demonstrators organising events, including singing, to express their support for vulnerable immigrant communities.