*The WHITE House in panic mode, Department of Homeland Security order officers to avoid confrontation with agitators
* Nationwide activists are calling for an economic blackout on January 30 to protest ICE activity
* Celebrities, including Hannah Einbinder and Pedro Pascal, posts on social media about the strike
*“The Trump administration’s immigration operations have resulted in countless dangerous criminal illegals being removed from the streets”– White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson
*BY TEMI ANUOBA/International Correspondent NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER INC USA reporting LIVE from New York
Today, in all the 50 states in America, the masses are already turning out in large numbers to protest against harassment, racial discrimination, profiling and selective deportation being carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE. The general strike is going nationwide. At least that’s the aim of activist groups, unions, and some celebrities who have called for no work, school, or shopping after fatal shootings by immigration officers in recent weeks in Minnesota.
A top aide to the United States President, Donald Trump who would not want her name in the print since she is not authorized to speak to press and for fear of retribution told our correspondent that The WHITE House has been in panic mode ever since news hit them that there would be a nationwide protest, economic blackout today in all the 50 states in the country.
Tom Homan, the White House Border Czar, was in a long meeting in Minneapolis with law enforcement officers of the Department of Homeland Security, DHS and ICE where he warned them to avoid any confrontation with agitators since that may lead to friction or violence that could cause another public outrage. To the protesters, today’s protest is People versus the Government, as it believed that in any democracy: power belongs to the people.
In a post promoting a “National Shutdown,” actor Hannah Einbinder wrote on Instagram that “withholding our labor and capital is our most effective leverage. national general strike spread the word!”
Actor Pedro Pascal shared a graphic of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, the two Minnesotans shot by federal agents, that says “Pretti Good Reason For A National Strike,” and posted in support of a larger strike on the 30th.
It’s unclear how widespread participation in the blackout will be or what impact it may have on ICE operations. A website for the “National Shutdown” lists hundreds of organizations as endorsers.
“Last week’s march brought out tens of thousands of people, lets make this Friday even bigger,” the University of Minnesota Graduate Labor Union wrote in an Instagram post.
*Minnesotans took to the streets and closed businesses on January 23 to protest ICE:
The January 23 action in Minnesota was endorsed by a slew of regional labor unions, whose demands included ICE leaving the state and no additional federal funding for the agency.
“Working people, our schools and our communities are under attack. Union members are being detained commuting to and from work, tearing apart families,” Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou, the president of the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, said in a statement ahead of the January 23 Minnesota strike. “Parents are being forced to stay home, students held out of school, fearing for their lives, all while the employer class remains silent.”
Local news site ‘Bring Me The News’ compiled a running list of more than 200 businesses that posted on social media about their participation.
In a statement, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said that the Trump administration’s immigration operations “have resulted in countless dangerous criminal illegals being removed from the streets.” Jackson said that will “create a safer environment where all businesses can thrive in the long term and their customers can feel safe.”
Ultimately, thousands of Minnesotans took to the streets on January 23, and an estimated 700 businesses closed their doors in solidarity, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.
“I thought the strike was extremely successful. There were so many who participated that it served as a true roadmap for a larger general strike,” Vanessa Beardsley, the owner of Catzen, said of the January 23 strike. “For me personally, there was overwhelming comfort and gratitude that I live in Minnesota and that we are all standing together in this time of history.”
DONATE TO HELP BUILD A SPECIAL APPS FOR JOURNALISTS AGAINST LIVER ELEVATION & KIDNEY FAILURE:
CERTAINLY, Good journalism costs a lot of money. Without doubt, only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government. We are ready to hold every corrupt government accountable to the citizens. To continually enjoy free access to the best investigative journalism in Nigeria, we are requesting of you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavor.
By contributing to NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all without fear or favor.
Your donation is voluntary — please decide how much and how often you want to give.
FOR OFFLINE OR ANONYMOUS DONATION ON THIS PROJECT OR HELP COVER COST FOR SERIES OF UNDERCOVER REPORTING IN INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM, DO PAY DIRECTLY FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD TO: NIGERIA BANK NAME-MONIEPOINT *BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER: 7076577445
Feel free to send us an email: letters@nigeriastandardnewspaper.com or call us directly at +2347076577445 (Nigeria) or WhatsApp American Roaming Mobile Number: +16825834890 (Chat messages only available)
donation
