Local Residents Protest Target’s Collaboration with ICE

A group of 11 Western Mass locals interrupted business as usual at the Target store at the Hampshire Mall on Valentine’s Day to protest the corporation’s collaboration with ICE’s ongoing campaign of violence. The protestors entered the store at around 3 p.m. and spent about 25 minutes moving down the aisles singing songs, holding signs with anti-ICE slogans, and handing out chocolate, anti-ICE Valentines, and informational flyers to store patrons.

The action was part ofa national campaign of Valentine’s Day-themed anti-ICE actions held this week at more than two dozen Target stores around the nation. Target—founded in Minnesota and headquartered in Minneapolis—has allowed ICE agents to deploy from their parking lots and to detain people inside their stores. The company’s collaboration with ICE has continued in the wake of the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, as ICE faces record-high, super-majority disapproval ratings following violent raids across the country, and widespread public outrage over family separation and abuse in detention centers. “The most transparent thing about this administration is their capacity for cruelty”, said participant and immigrant Patricia Tierney. “I feel tears are the appropriate response right now.”

Through flyers and a letter addressed to Target’s CEO, the protestors called on Target to become a 4th amendment workplace, drop all contracts with ICE, push for an end to ICE funding, and demand any federal officer who harms or kills a civilian be held legally accountable. Flyers also asked shoppers to participate in a“shop-in”, clogging checkouts at the Target store on East Lake Street and Hwy 55 in Minneapolis by buying and returning salt for pick up, as part of this week’s campaign. “We’re hoping to gum up the works,” said action organizer Ben Pittman-Polletta, “since protests alone haven’t been enough to motivate Target to stand up for its values.”

The multiracial, multigenerational group of activists, which included two young children, was met with surprise and varied reactions as they marched alongside shoppers lined up at cash registers and browsing the aisles. Holding signs with slogans such as “Love Melts ICE” and “Target: Break Up with ICE”, they sang about “abolishing ICE” for “families who are locked inside”. While a few shoppers ignored the activists or shook their heads, most responded positively, with many offering words of thanks and appreciation and even fist-bumping or high-fiving participants. “I was surprised how many people seemed to recognize and appreciate what we were doing,” said participant Lisa Berkovits, “especially young people.

“The latest string of nationwide mobilizations began on Wednesday, 2/11, a day before Senate Democrats voted to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security. It is being organized by Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), in solidarity with Indivisible, ICE OUT Minnesota, and other national organizations. SURJ, a national organization dedicated to the fight for racial justice, works to dismantle white supremacy and build a racially just society through grassroots organizing, education, and mobilization, has over 150 local chapters nationwide and members in every state in the U.S. The organization is committed to “an inclusive, open-hearted approach to organizing”, while emphasizing the importance of mobilizing white people for racial justice. “Building community is a big part of our goal,” said Pittman-Polletta. “Community is one of the best ways to fight fascism.”