Nationwide "Shutdown" Protests Erupt in Over 300 U.S. Cities Against Trump's Violent Immigration Enforcement

Massive protest waves swept across the United States on January 30, with citizens vehemently opposing the Trump administration's aggressive and violent tactics in immigration enforcement operations. Dubbed the "National Shutdown" or "ICE Out" movement, the action spanned more than 300 cities, where participants expressed their outrage against federal law enforcement agencies' abuse of force through strikes, walkouts from schools, and boycotts of consumer activities.

The protests were ignited by two fatal shooting incidents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, earlier this month: On January 7, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed 37-year-old U.S. citizen Renee Good; and on January 24, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent fatally shot 37-year-old critical care nurse Alex Pretti, also a U.S. citizen, during a street encounter. Both cases have sparked widespread scrutiny, with eyewitness videos contradicting initial official accounts, eroding public trust in federal enforcement actions. The Department of Justice has launched a civil rights investigation into the Pretti case, and the involved agents have been placed on administrative leave.

Minneapolis' downtown became the epicenter of the most intense demonstrations, where thousands took to the streets chanting slogans like "Our streets!" and "ICE out of Minnesota!" demanding the immediate withdrawal of all federal immigration enforcement personnel. The local music community joined in solidarity, hosting a benefit concert in the city center to raise funds for the victims' families. Renowned rock artist Bruce Springsteen performed a new song, "Streets of Minneapolis," for the first time live, with lyrics depicting the city "struggling between fire and ice" and condemning the "occupiers'" brutality. The track quickly resonated nationwide, going viral on social media.

In New York, approximately 7,000 demonstrators gathered at City Hall Plaza before marching through the streets to voice discontent over the violent escalation of immigration policies. Similar crowds of several thousand converged in front of Los Angeles City Hall. Some protesters clashed with police outside federal detention centers, prompting authorities to issue a citywide tactical alert and mobilize all available officers to maintain order.

Beyond street rallies, widespread business closures and large-scale school absences occurred across the country. In Long Beach, Los Angeles, around 3,000 high school students walked out to join the protests, while schools in Colorado and Arizona preemptively closed in anticipation of significant student participation. Organizers emphasized that the action aimed to compel the government to address violence in immigration enforcement through economic non-cooperation.