CLEVELAND — Cities all across the country, including Cleveland, were the scene of protests against ICE and the recent shootings in Minnesota as part of a national day of action this afternoon.
Hundreds of people showed up at a rally at Public Square, according to News 5's Nadeen Abusada, before marching through Downtown Cleveland.
RAW VIDEO OF THE RALLY:
The 50501 Project, which organized last year's No Kings protests, is urging U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to scale back its operations amid a surge in immigration enforcement activities in Minneapolis and elsewhere.
RELATED: Organizers call for Friday boycott and protests after deaths of Good, Pretti
The movement calls for a national shutdown today and for participants to not work, go to school, or shop.
Numerous local business owners have announced that they will either shut down or stay open and pledge part of their profits to organizations such as the ACLU, Minnesota Immigrant Defense Network, or Re:Source Cleveland.
Some businesses have voiced their support but said they won't be closing, such as Brewnuts, which posted a statement on Instagram explaining its decision and drawing attention to what other businesses are facing.
"A note about the General Strike:
We're pretty sure you're all clear on where we stand on this moment in history.
This week we've had many conversations with fellow small business owners who've been struggling with how to handle the call for a strike. Many fear they'll be seen as against the cause if they don't close, but don't have the bandwidth to do so.
That's one of many things that our current administration doesn't care about and that many folks don't know: the people making our communities feel safer and more vibrant by bringing unique businesses to them are often a week or emergency away from being in untenable situations.
Being closed multiple days this week due to extreme weather makes this an incredibly difficult time to shutter for another day. More importantly, penalizing team members who have expressed a desire to work is also problematic.
If you see businesses who chose not to close, it was likely not a decision made without delicate forethought.
We will be open and we stand with everyone exercising their rights in the name of community today, however they are choosing to do so. Be safe, look out for one another - Power to the People, Cleveland Against Tyranny."
Some businesses that remain open are still supporting the community, including:
Rising Star Coffee: "Our team stands in solidarity with the national ICE Out Day of Action with the communities across the country demanding safety, accountability, and justice. For our community members exercising their rights today, please take care of yourself and each other."
Dahlia Coffee Co.: "As a small business, closing our doors is not something we're financially able to do. That said, staying open does not mean staying silent."
Sophie La Gourmande: Will remain open but is donating a portion of the day's profits. "We stand for dignity, compassion and care for all - today and always."
Cleveland Bagel Shop: Will remain open, "standing in solidarity with our friends in Minneapolis & those protesting the abuse of power in our communities."
W Sports Bar said it will provide a "safe space for sign-making and community gathering. We will have whistles for folks to take, KYRI (Know Your Rights Initiative) pamphlets and information from our friends at The Ohio Center for Strategic Immigration Litigation and Outreach."
Others like Thai Thai Lakewood, Beet Jar, Cleveland Clothing Company, Climb Cleveland, Océanne Studio and Boutique, Loganberry Books, Propaganda Coffee, Tabletop, Wicked Plant Company, and Lakewood Art Supply are among those that have also expressed support for standing with the community.
Cleveland Magazine has compiled a list of local business reactions.
In Akron
Late Friday afternoon, about 50 people gathered in Akron’s Highland Square to stand against ICE. The crowd was not as big as the one in Cleveland, but protestors carried the same message.
“What ICE is doing, I don’t recognize my country anymore, and I think it’s every American's duty to protect the constitution.” said protester Laura Stephens. “We’re going to have to get out of our comfort zone. We’re going to have to actually stand up and fight for our country.”
“I’m going to keep standing up, and I’m not afraid to die for my country,” said another protester, Austin Soinski.
Who is Alex Pretti?
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, was fatally wounded Saturday in Minneapolis while filming immigration enforcement officers. In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, officials said Pretti had brandished a weapon, but video evidence showed agents had already retrieved Pretti’s firearm seconds before firing the fatal shots.
RELATED: Federal agents placed on standard leave following fatal shooting of Alex Pretti
Gun advocacy groups, including the National Rifle Association, pushed back on claims from the Trump administration that Pretti did not have a right to possess a firearm at the protests. Family members said Pretti owned a handgun and had a permit to conceal carry in Minnesota.
RELATED: 'Categorically wrong' — NRA, pro-gun groups push back on Trump officials' Minneapolis shooting takes
On Tuesday, Donald Trump on Tuesday expressed “love” for the Pretti family, days after members of his administration said the man killed during a federal immigration enforcement raid was committing domestic terrorism.
RELATED: Trump offers sympathy for Pretti family, contradicting aides’ initial response
Second protest in Cleveland this week
On Tuesday night, protesters faced freezing temperatures as they marched downtown.
Gov. DeWine prepares for possible ICE surge
Ohio’s Haitian community has had a spotlight on it since the 2024 election, when President Donald Trump and VP JD Vance baselessly claimed that immigrants were eating pets.
On Tuesday, the Haitians who legally immigrated to the U.S under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will have it revoked.
“Not wise, that is not a good thing,” DeWine said. “I think it's a mistake.”
About 15,000 Haitian immigrants call Springfield home. Once their TPS expires, tens of thousands of Haitians could lose their jobs, be forced to leave or become undocumented.
“You have thousands of Haitians who are working, contributing members of the community, contributing to the economy who one day will be able to work and the next day will then not be able to work,” the governor said.
He is worried about the life they will be forced back into.
“The situation in Haiti is dire as I have ever seen it,” DeWine said. "The gangs are controlling a good part of the country; it’s extremely violent.”
Former Republican Congressman Jim Renacci said the expiration is necessary.
“In the end, temporary means temporary,” Renacci said. “I am a believer in a legal immigration process that allows people to come here to get their citizenship properly.”
Haitian immigrants should have already self-deported, he said.
“I think Haitians should have realized that it was a temporary status,” Renacci said. “Even the Haitian community has the ability to come here legally and through the process.”
A democratic federal judge is set to decide whether to block the expiration of their protected status. That decision is expected on Monday, before the Haitians TPS is taken away.
DeWine has spoken with Springfield leaders on how he can best assist them if ICE comes, and is mobilizing the state troopers.
“We're here to keep the peace; We're going to do that in Ohio,” DeWine said Friday. “ICE will be able to do what they legally can do, whether we like that or not, whether we agree with that policy.”
DeWine is trying to take the middle ground on ICE, but warns them to follow “good procedure.”
“We have the expectation our police officers are well-trained,” the governor said. “The expectation that ICE will also follow good police practices.”
DeWine says troopers will be assisting cities with ICE presence, and they need to follow Ohio rules, like not standing in front of cars.
“That could be detrimental to that officer,” he said. “It could also involve some confrontation with the person in the car who's driving the car.”
U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno has been supportive of ICE and says there is a way to prevent agents from shooting citizens.
“You do not have a right to impede federal law enforcement operations, and the way we avoid that is to make certain that when we are enforcing federal law, that the city, the county, and the state is totally aligned with what we're doing,” Moreno said.
Some Republicans, including the president, say another way to avoid conflict would be to leave your firearms at home.
“You can’t have guns, you can’t walk in with guns,” Trump said Tuesday. “You just can’t.”
Previously, DeWine urged protestors not to carry.
“How does that not go against the Second Amendment?” Statehouse reporter Morgan Trau asked DeWine.
“I’ve been very, very clear: People have the right to bring a gun. They have a Second Amendment right to do that,” he responded. “Different question: Is that a wise thing to do, or would I recommend for them to do that? My answer is no.”
DeWine said he hopes he’ll get 24-48 hours' notice if ICE is coming.
Scripps News digital content producers Justin Boggs and Taylor O'Bier contributed to this report.
