Minneapolis activists have set their sights on retail giant Target, accusing the company of failing to take a stand against the aggressive actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at its stores. This renewed push for accountability comes in the wake of recent incidents where ICE agents forcefully detained and arrested Target employees.
The protests, organised by groups like Unido MN and SURJ-TC, have taken various forms – from sit-ins at Target stores to “salt purchases” aimed at disrupting business. Activists argue that Target’s silence on the issue amounts to complicity, and they are demanding the company take concrete steps to safeguard its employees and customers.
“You can’t walk into a Target store here without seeing how they position themselves as being for the health and wellbeing of the community,” said Grant Stevensen, a Lutheran pastor in Minneapolis who organised the protests with Unido. “So we need Target to stand up where it really matters right now.”
The focus on Target comes as part of a broader economic boycott in Minneapolis, sparked by the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent in early January. In the aftermath, video footage emerged of ICE agents violently detaining two Target employees, sparking outrage and renewed calls for the retailer to take action.
“Target has an opportunity to step up and be the leader that we know that they can be, but are choosing not to be,” said Andi Otto, the executive director of Twin Cities Pride. “What is happening right now is absolutely appalling, and Target’s silence shows us that they will likely keep moving in the direction they’ve been going in the past year.”
Target’s response, or lack thereof, has drawn the ire of local faith groups, immigrant rights supporters and community organisers, who view the company’s silence as tacit cooperation with the masked federal agents. The retailer has faced public backlash before, most notably over its rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes in 2025, which contributed to a decline in first-quarter sales.
“We know that from a historical perspective, nonviolent activism and civic pressure always win,” said Ulla Nilsen, a lead organiser with Unido. “We have an administration that’s making everyone afraid. So we are calling on the CEO of Target and other businesses in Minnesota to stop being afraid because when we stand together, we will get through this.”
As the protests continue, the pressure on Target to take a clear stance against ICE’s actions and safeguard its employees and customers is only intensifying. The outcome of this battle could have far-reaching implications for the retailer’s relationship with its community and its reputation as a socially responsible corporate citizen.