Nationwide Shutdown Shakes Cities After ICE Shootings

Across the United States, a wave of closures, walkouts, and protests is sweeping cities from Denver to Los Angeles and Santa Cruz, all in response to a string of deadly encounters between federal immigration officers and activists. Friday, January 30, 2026, marks a "National Shutdown"—a day organizers have declared one of "no school, no work, and no shopping." Their aim: to demand an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and to draw attention to what they call a pattern of violence and fear sown by federal agencies.

The movement, which began as a statewide economic blackout in Minnesota, quickly ballooned into a nationwide protest as news of the deaths of Alex Pretti, Renee Good, Silverio Villegas González, and Keith Porter Jr. circulated widely. According to KDVR, these four individuals were killed by federal agents in recent weeks, sparking outrage and a coordinated response from activist groups, unions, businesses, and even celebrities.

In Denver, at least ten businesses—including the award-winning restaurant Sắp Sửa, Die Die Must Try Beverage Co., Scavenged Goods, and Preston and James—will close their doors in solidarity. Sắp Sửa announced on Instagram, "It has been increasingly difficult to watch what is unfolding in our country. We have felt so helpless and alone and it’s abundantly clear that no one will come to save us, so it is our civic duty to unite as a community in support of the most vulnerable." Scavenged Goods, a vintage clothing shop, explained its decision to close by stating, "This moment in our country’s history is way more important than losing some followers or dollars. It’s about standing with our immigrant neighbors and the protestors out there on the streets battling everyday protecting them from some horrendous, inhumane treatment. It can’t be business as usual with this going on."

Elsewhere, the shutdown is taking on different forms. In Los Angeles, gatherings are planned at City Hall and Gloria Molina Grand Park, while Stronghold Climbing Gym in Echo Park is closing its locations for the day. Candle Christensen, an employee at Stronghold, told KTLA, "I’m incredibly proud that my employer is taking a stand. It’s meaningful to me and this climbing community that we are a gym with a strong ethical compass." The gym’s decision was motivated by the recent detention and deportation of their longtime cleaner, who staff say was racially profiled by federal agents.

Santa Cruz is seeing a groundswell of healthcare worker activism. Nurses at Dominican Hospital and Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) are organizing walkouts and vigils, with PAMF health care workers planning a noon walkout on Soquel Avenue. Kayce Ryberg, a pediatric nurse practitioner at PAMF, told Lookout Santa Cruz, "We don’t abandon our patients, so we’re unable to do [a full strike], but we wanted to do something that felt meaningful, to express our advocacy, and recognize what’s happening in Minnesota." Ryberg added that fear of ICE operations is leading some women to forgo prenatal care, a troubling trend for healthcare professionals.

The deaths at the center of the protest have become rallying cries. Renee Good, an anti-ICE activist, was shot and killed by an ICE agent on January 7 in Minneapolis. Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was killed by a Border Patrol agent in Minnesota on January 24. Videos of these incidents spread rapidly online, fueling the call for Friday’s shutdown and subsequent actions. Organizers and supporters contend that these individuals were targeted for exercising their First Amendment rights to protest mass deportation. As one post from the movement’s website declared, "Every day, ICE, Border Patrol and other enforcers of Trump’s racist agenda are going into our communities to kidnap our neighbors and sow fear. It is time for us to all stand up together in a nationwide shutdown and say enough is enough!"

Not all voices are in agreement, however. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described Pretti as a "domestic terrorist," while President Donald Trump criticized Pretti for carrying a gun. Despite defending his administration’s aggressive deportation campaign and blaming local officials for lack of cooperation, Trump has signaled a shift, announcing a "big investigation" into Pretti’s death in response to bipartisan concern, as reported by The Associated Press.

The shutdown has drawn support from a broad coalition. Hundreds of organizations have endorsed the action, including University of Minnesota student groups like the Somali Student Association, Ethiopian Student Association, Black Student Union, and Liberian Student Association. The political organization 50501 (50 States, 50 Protests, 1 Day) and the nonprofit Indivisible are also backing the shutdown and related protests. Indivisible’s co-executive director, Ezra Levin, predicted that future actions—such as the planned "No Kings" protest on March 28—could draw as many as 9 million participants nationwide, telling The Associated Press, "We expect this to be the largest protest in American history."

Celebrity endorsements have added fuel to the movement’s momentum. Actors Pedro Pascal and Hannah Einbinder, along with rapper Macklemore, have promoted the strike on social media. Macklemore wrote, "No system built on violence has ever been undone by reform. It ends when people stop sustaining it. This is that moment." Their involvement has helped push the shutdown into the national spotlight.

Organizers are also planning additional events beyond Friday. In Santa Cruz, regular Monday demonstrations and a student-led protest at the town clock are scheduled. Indivisible Santa Cruz County co-leader Denise Allen described the growing size of these gatherings, emphasizing their role as "a continuous way to express our outrage and dissent." Saturday will also see an "ICE Out of Everywhere" event hosted by Action Network, further amplifying calls for change.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has begun to signal a potential winding down of ICE operations in some states. Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, told Nexstar that a drawdown in Minneapolis is possible, but only if state officials cooperate. In Maine, Senator Susan Collins announced that ICE had ceased "enhanced operations" after an enforcement surge led to more than 100 arrests. Collins said, "There are currently no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations here," crediting her discussions with Secretary Noem for the change.

As the nation braces for Friday’s shutdown, the debate over immigration enforcement, civil rights, and protest shows no sign of abating. For many, the events of January 2026 have crystallized long-simmering tensions, leaving businesses, communities, and policymakers grappling with how to respond. Whether the shutdown will prompt meaningful change—or simply mark another chapter in a deeply polarized era—remains to be seen. But for those closing their doors, taking to the streets, or simply staying home, the message is clear: business as usual is no longer an option.