Despite protests over ICE actions, Minneapolis’ immigrant-owned restaurants, hotels and shops need traveler support more than ever.
Minnesota’s largest city is making national headlines for mass protests and demonstrations against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)’s recent acts of violence (dubbed Operation Metro Surge) in their community that target immigrants. Does that mean you should skip a visit?
Absolutely not.
Now is exactly when the city’s immigrant-owned restaurants and indie-owned boutiques and hotels need travelers’ support. In fact, many chefs and small-business owners are speaking out in solidarity with protesters by hosting fundraisers and benefits to support not only the families of victims (Renee Good and Alex Pretti) shot dead by ICE, but also immigrant families affected by the operation. These efforts are so unwavering that The Nation nominated Minneapolis and its people for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Last Friday, First Avenue—a 1930s-era Greyhound bus depot that was the late Prince’s regular club venue—hosted an all-ages, daytime fundraiser concert “of solidarity and resistance to defend Minnesota” that included Bruce Springsteen. The work continues, with more fundraisers announced here, including Lynette’s Mutual Aid Community Fundraiser on Feb. 9, with screen printing, speakers, burgers, a DJ, dancing, and activities for all ages. All proceeds will benefit people directly affected by the occupation.
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With a population of 428,579, Minneapolis is a city of neighborhoods that are home to refugees and immigrants who sought out this Upper Midwest city as a new place to call home. Many of those enclaves are deeply tied to ethnic groups, creating dining and cultural opportunities for visitors. They rely upon not just locals, but also travelers eager to explore beyond downtown. Meet Minneapolis recently surveyed its 500 association partners—such as restaurants, hotels, retail shops, service providers, and arts and event organizers—about the business impact of current federal activity in the area. Ninety percent of respondents report being impacted, and 80% of those people have directly experienced canceled, postponed or reduced bookings/sales. But that’s not all. Ninety percent said fear or stress was affecting operations, with 73% reporting staffing absenteeism.
In light of all of this, Meet Minneapolis recently launched a campaign called MPLS for MPLS to funnel support to local-owned businesses where it’s needed most, even during these unprecedented times. When a city’s experiencing unrest, residual effects like increased traffic congestion and workers fearing ICE round-ups lead to limited hours and short staffing. Yet owners of these businesses still need to earn a living. They can’t just shut down, press pause, and wait for the federal operation to decamp.
Not only are they keeping their doors open, but they’re also doing so with a new purpose: many are donating proceeds to anti-ICE efforts or being very vocal in resisting ICE in their community. A list of immigrant-owned restaurants and those supporting the fight to keep ICE out of the community is published here, such as Milkjam Creamery and Worldstreet Kitchen (both are owned by Pakestani chef Sameh Wadi), Tacos El Kevin, Bichota Coffee (located in George Floyd Square, an area commemorating Floyd, who was murdered by a police officer here in May of 2020), Midtown Global Market (featuring food stalls operated by people representing various ethnic groups), and La Dona Cerveceria (a Latino-owned brewery).
In addition to consulting this list before booking a table or ordering take-out, if you’re curious which ones are in solidarity with the anti-ICE movement, The Solidarity List is a good place to start. These restaurants, bars and coffee shops have spoken out by publicly posting statements that include “all are welcome except ICE.” They also function as safe gathering spaces to talk with others about the civil unrest and how to ensure the safety of the city’s immigrants. As of February 2, there are 95 businesses on the list, including a few like Bymore Supermercado, Colonial Market and Restaurant, LomaBonita and Valerie’s Carniceria that provide free food delivery for those impacted by ICE. During the immigrant crackdown, Wrecktangle Pizza rolled out a match challenge: for every pizza sold, they’d provide a frozen pizza free to a vulnerable person sheltering at home. They sold 2,220 pizzas.
Meet Minneapolis also published a list of local organizations helping local immigrants, such as Lito’s Burritos on Lake’s vow to donate horchata sales to the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee. Pow Wow Grounds, a Native-owned coffee shop, is accepting donations and supplies for the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center.
Even if you can’t physically drop by these businesses, because you’re not planning a trip to Minneapolis right now, you can still help by ordering their food or products online, or purchasing gift cards for a future visit. Each purchase adds up and fuels their fight to provide a safe place in Minneapolis and continue to speak out against ICE.
It’s also important to remember not all immigrant-owned businesses feel comfortable speaking out. When in doubt about which businesses to support, opt for one with an immigrant at the helm.
For up-to-date info on what’s happening in Minneapolis, Meet Minneapolis’s FAQ page highlights community safety issues, such as where ICE agents are currently located and where protests and rallies are happening.
