NEW YORK (WABC) — Thousands of protesters gathered in New York City’s Foley Square as demonstrators across the U.S. called for “no work, no school, no shopping” as part of a nationwide strike on Friday to oppose the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minneapolis.
The demonstrations took place amid widespread outrage over the killing Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, who was shot multiple times after he used his cellphone to record Border Patrol officers conducting an immigration enforcement operation. The death only reignited scrutiny over the administration’s tactics after the Jan. 7 death of Renee Good, who was fatally shot behind the wheel of her vehicle by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.
“The people of the Twin Cities have shown the way for the whole country – to stop ICE’s reign of terror, we need to SHUT IT DOWN,” some of the organizers wrote on their website.
Thousands of protesters rallied in Foley Square and marched up to Washington Square Park.
In the afternoon, protesters gathered in Union Square as part of the day of action.
“We demand an end to this violence, an end to murdering our community members, and ICE out of our communities,” said a statement from the New York Immigrant Coalition.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted on social media, saying the protesters’ courage is “inspiring the world.”
Multiple businesses around the country announced they would be closed during Friday’s “blackout,” including East Harlem’s El Museo del Barrio.
“Closing our doors for one day represents a purposeful disruption of our routine, underscoring the urgency of this moment and standing in solidarity with those whose voices are too often marginalized,” museum officials said in a statement. “We join the call for justice, accountability, freedom of speech, safety, and care for all people, and we act in solidarity with those demanding dignity and protection for our communities.”
Some students took part in walkouts around the country on Friday morning. Many other demonstrations were held by students and others, gathering at city centers, statehouses and churches across the country.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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