Activists urge Minneapolis-based retailer Target to denounce Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) amid recent arrests at its stores.
Dozens of clergy members occupied the atrium of Target's downtown headquarters on Friday, chanting slogans against ICE detention of employees. The protest is part of a growing movement to boycott the company over its ties with immigration enforcement.
Critics argue that Target has benefited from its relationship with ICE and should publicly condemn the agency's actions. The company's silence on the issue has been criticized as complicity in the targeting of immigrant workers.
Protesters say that, unlike other companies which have taken steps to protect employees, Target has failed to act. Local advocates like Unidos are calling for the retailer to speak out against ICE and take concrete action to safeguard its employees.
In recent weeks, calls for a boycott have gained momentum. In January, a group of clergy members held a press conference outside Target's store, asking corporate leaders to support efforts to end DHS's "surge terrorizing families, neighborhoods, and businesses."
Organizations like SURJ-TC (Showing Up for Racial Justice Twin Cities) are calling for specific demands from the company, including posting signs stating that ICE agents cannot enter without a warrant, training employees on how to handle ICE agents, and publicly demanding that Congress stop funding ICE.
A similar sit-in was held at Target's downtown Minneapolis store on Martin Luther King Day. Protesters lined up to purchase salt, return it, and repeat the process as a way to "melt" ICE.
The boycott of Target is part of a broader movement to hold companies accountable for their ties with immigration enforcement agencies. As one organizer said, "When we stand together, we will get through this."
Dozens of clergy members occupied the atrium of Target's downtown headquarters on Friday, chanting slogans against ICE detention of employees. The protest is part of a growing movement to boycott the company over its ties with immigration enforcement.
Critics argue that Target has benefited from its relationship with ICE and should publicly condemn the agency's actions. The company's silence on the issue has been criticized as complicity in the targeting of immigrant workers.
Protesters say that, unlike other companies which have taken steps to protect employees, Target has failed to act. Local advocates like Unidos are calling for the retailer to speak out against ICE and take concrete action to safeguard its employees.
In recent weeks, calls for a boycott have gained momentum. In January, a group of clergy members held a press conference outside Target's store, asking corporate leaders to support efforts to end DHS's "surge terrorizing families, neighborhoods, and businesses."
Organizations like SURJ-TC (Showing Up for Racial Justice Twin Cities) are calling for specific demands from the company, including posting signs stating that ICE agents cannot enter without a warrant, training employees on how to handle ICE agents, and publicly demanding that Congress stop funding ICE.
A similar sit-in was held at Target's downtown Minneapolis store on Martin Luther King Day. Protesters lined up to purchase salt, return it, and repeat the process as a way to "melt" ICE.
The boycott of Target is part of a broader movement to hold companies accountable for their ties with immigration enforcement agencies. As one organizer said, "When we stand together, we will get through this."
. It's not right that they have to live in fear of being arrested and deported just because of their job 
. The fact that Target hasn't spoken out against it is really concerning 
. I think it's totally fair for people to boycott the store until they do something about it 
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. And it's great to see all these different organizations coming together to demand change 
. I hope Target takes notice and starts speaking out against ICE soon 
. Until then, I'll be keeping my boycotts of Target in mind 
.
I mean, they're already profiting from our purchases, so can't they at least speak out against the agency's actions? It's like, you know when your friends do something that's morally questionable, and you're all like "yo, what's good with that?" 
But Target's just chillin', collecting our cash, and ignoring the plight of their employees. I'm not saying boycott 'em or anything, but it'd be nice if they took a stand 
Where are the concrete demands from Target itself? Just a bunch of signs and training? That's it? 
i think it's super reasonable of the activists to be protesting and demanding that target takes a stronger stance against ice 
its not like they can just ignore the issue and expect everything to be okay, especially when their employees are being targeted by a agency that's supposed to be about enforcing laws but is really just hurting people 
and i hope target will listen to the calls for change and do something about it soon 
. It's not like they're directly profiting from ICE or anything, but still. I'd want to see 'em take concrete actions to protect their employees before calling for a full-blown boycott 
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. I mean, come on, they can't just sit back and let ICE do its thing while profiting off the backs of their employees? The protesters are right to call them out for it 
. And honestly, who needs the extra drama of clergy members showing up at their headquarters? 
And those sit-ins at Target stores? Genius! 
The "melt" protest was a powerful statement, for real! 
i mean target has made bank off chinese new years sales but wont stand up for employees who are getting detained by ICE meanwhile ppl are dying at the border because of trump policies its time for companies like target to take a hard look at their relationships with immigration enforcement agencies and do some real damage control 
. On one hand, I can see why the protesters want Target to speak out against ICE - it's like, they're targeting innocent people for a living 
. And I totally get why Target's silence has been seen as complicit 
. Maybe they could start by just acknowledging the issue and showing that they're committed to doing better? 
I'm so done with corporations just sitting back and letting ICE do its thing. Like, come on Target! You're not even taking a stand against these brutal practices? It's all about profit for you guys, right? 
. It's all about creating a culture of transparency and responsibility, where corporations are expected to take a stand on issues that affect the lives of their employees. As one organizer put it, "When we stand together, we will get through this." 
. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for supporting the people, but at the same time, I think Target's got a right to make their own decisions about how they want to handle things.
and its so hard to use... anyway back to this target thingy... i dont get why ppl are all mad at them tho... they r just trying to sell stuff right? but idk maybe im missing somethin... did u no that some ppl are boycotting them cuz of their ties with ice? thats like, so weird... isnt it better 4 them 2 be honest about it & say sorry or sumthin?