NEW YORK (AP) — Activists planned protests at more than two dozen Target stores around the United States to pressure the discount retailer into taking a public stand against the immigration crackdown in Minnesota. ICE Out Minnesota, a coalition consisting of community groups, religious leaders, and labor unions, has called for a week of demonstrations, beginning Wednesday.
The protests are a response to recent federal operations, including the shooting of two residents at an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis, which also serves as Target's headquarters. Elan Axelbank, an activist with Minnesota's Socialist Alternative, emphasized that while Target promotes its connection to the community, its lack of action against ICE activities is concerning.
Protests are scheduled in several major cities, including St. Paul, Boston, Chicago, and Seattle. Target has declined to comment on the protests.
Indeed, the spotlight on Target increased after a widely circulated video showed federal agents detaining employees at a Target in Richfield, Minnesota. Luis Argueta from Unidos Minnesota, a social justice advocacy group, said their protests are concentrated on the Richfield store.
The central demand of the protestors is for Target to deny federal agents entry to stores unless they possess judicial warrants.
Legal experts argue that federal agents can access public areas of businesses without a warrant, although there are clear private areas where they cannot go without proper authorization. Target has faced criticism for not commenting on the detention of its employees, and protests are compounded by the company's recent struggles with sales and public image due to decisions around diversity efforts.
Neil Saunders from GlobalData remarked that while the protests affect only a small fraction of Target's nearly 2,000 stores, they represent a significant distraction from the retailer's business operations.
The protests are a response to recent federal operations, including the shooting of two residents at an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis, which also serves as Target's headquarters. Elan Axelbank, an activist with Minnesota's Socialist Alternative, emphasized that while Target promotes its connection to the community, its lack of action against ICE activities is concerning.
Protests are scheduled in several major cities, including St. Paul, Boston, Chicago, and Seattle. Target has declined to comment on the protests.
Indeed, the spotlight on Target increased after a widely circulated video showed federal agents detaining employees at a Target in Richfield, Minnesota. Luis Argueta from Unidos Minnesota, a social justice advocacy group, said their protests are concentrated on the Richfield store.
The central demand of the protestors is for Target to deny federal agents entry to stores unless they possess judicial warrants.
Legal experts argue that federal agents can access public areas of businesses without a warrant, although there are clear private areas where they cannot go without proper authorization. Target has faced criticism for not commenting on the detention of its employees, and protests are compounded by the company's recent struggles with sales and public image due to decisions around diversity efforts.
Neil Saunders from GlobalData remarked that while the protests affect only a small fraction of Target's nearly 2,000 stores, they represent a significant distraction from the retailer's business operations.
