Minneapolis, MN – A powerful demonstration of solidarity unfolded on January 18th as over 200 postal workers and their allies marched through South Minneapolis, demanding an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the city and across Minnesota. The march culminated at the block where Renee Good was fatally shot by ICE agent Jonathon Ross just weeks prior, serving as a stark reminder of the human cost of ICE’s presence.
This story originally appeared in Workday Magazine on Jan. 20, 2026. It is shared here with permission.
Postal Workers Lead the Charge Against ICE in Minneapolis
The demonstration, organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 9, drew support from dozens of other Minnesota unions and worker centers, many of whom are preparing for a planned work stoppage on January 23rd, despite existing no-strike clauses in their contracts. The planned shutdown signals a growing wave of labor activism in response to ICE’s escalating activities.
Emmet Bongaarts, a postal worker and NALC Branch 9 member, described the palpable fear ICE has instilled in the communities he serves. “People can’t leave their homes, businesses lock their doors,” he said, detailing the impact of ICE’s presence on his route through the Central neighborhood. “We’ve been first-hand witnesses and responders to ICE’s ‘reign of terror’ across Minnesota in recent weeks.”
Chris Pennock, vice president of NALC Branch 9, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the disruption ICE causes in everyday life. “People are scared to shovel the snow, to grab a package – no one deserves to be treated this way,” he stated firmly. “Letter carriers stand with immigrants, not ICE.” The chant, “Protect our routes, get ICE out,” resonated throughout the march, encapsulating the union’s core message.
A History of Resistance: From the Lees to Today
This rally isn’t an isolated incident. It builds upon a long tradition of labor and community activism in Minneapolis. Last month, NALC members held a similar march on December 14th, protesting ICE’s use of postal facilities for staging operations. This latest demonstration occurred just a day after a failed attempt by right-wing provocateur Jake Lang to hold a white supremacist march downtown, which was overwhelmingly countered by thousands of anti-fascist protesters.
Marcia Howard, president of the Minneapolis Federation of Educators (MFE), drew a powerful connection to the city’s history, recounting the story of Edith and Arthur Lee, one of the first African American families to integrate a previously segregated South Minneapolis neighborhood in 1931. As MinnPost’s MNOpedia details, the Lee family faced a violent mob, but were protected by a coalition of family, veterans, and Arthur Lee’s postal worker colleagues. Howard highlighted this legacy, stating, “Letter carriers know their neighbors. They know their neighborhoods. Maybe that’s why they’re built just a little different.”
The spirit of resistance extends further back. Kieran Knutson, president of Communication Workers of America (CWA) Local 7250, urged attendees to participate in the January 23rd shutdown, framing it as a continuation of Minnesota’s history of opposing extremism. He referenced the successful counter-protest against Lang’s march, stating, “Let’s continue the Minnesota tradition where Nazis don’t march in this city, they bleed in this city.” This echoes the 1938 Teamsters Local 574 anti-fascist organizing, where workers thwarted a white-supremacist rally, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to confronting hate.
Ryan Timlin, a Metro Transit bus operator and former president of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1005, delivered a particularly impassioned speech, drawing parallels between the current struggle and the historical slave revolt during the Civil War. He argued that millions of enslaved people refused to accept an unjust system, and called for a similar spirit of resistance today.
What does it mean for a community when its postal workers, those entrusted with delivering essential services, feel compelled to take to the streets to protest government actions? And how will the planned January 23rd work stoppage impact the broader labor movement in Minnesota?
Frequently Asked Questions About the Minneapolis ICE Protest
- What is the primary demand of the postal workers protesting ICE? The postal workers are demanding that ICE cease using postal property for staging operations and ultimately leave Minnesota.
- Why is the shooting of Renee Good central to this protest? Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, and the protest march passed the location of the shooting to honor her memory and highlight the consequences of ICE’s actions.
- What is the significance of the January 23rd shutdown? The shutdown is a planned work stoppage across Minnesota, involving multiple unions, to protest ICE’s activities and demonstrate solidarity with impacted communities.
- How does this protest connect to Minneapolis’s history of resisting extremism? The protest builds on a long history of labor and community activism in Minneapolis, including resistance to white supremacist groups in 1931 and 1938.
- What role did the Minneapolis Federation of Educators play in the rally? Marcia Howard, president of the MFE, spoke at the rally, drawing parallels between the current struggle and the historical fight for racial integration in Minneapolis.
- What is the NALC’s stance on immigration? The NALC has publicly stated its support for immigrants and its opposition to ICE’s policies, emphasizing that letter carriers “stand with immigrants, not ICE.”
The events in Minneapolis underscore a growing tension between federal immigration enforcement and local communities, fueled by concerns over ICE’s tactics and the impact on residents’ lives. As the January 23rd shutdown approaches, the situation remains fluid, with the potential to escalate and further galvanize labor and community activism in Minnesota.
Share this article to spread awareness about the fight against ICE and the growing movement for worker solidarity. Join the conversation in the comments below – what actions can communities take to resist unjust immigration policies?
Disclaimer: This article provides information about a current event and does not offer legal or political advice.
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