In San Francisco, thousands gathered in Dolores Park on January 30, 2026, as part of a nationwide 'ICE Out' protest against the Trump administration's immigration operations. The demonstration, which also involved a general strike, was a response to the recent surge in arrests and detentions of immigrants in Minneapolis, many of whom had no criminal records. The protest was sparked by the deaths of two U.S. citizens, Pretti and Good, who were fatally shot by immigration officials during a protest. The event saw widespread participation from students across the city, with the San Francisco Unified School District granting excused absences for those who notified schools beforehand. Similar actions took place in San José and the East Bay, with hundreds of students staying home or joining the protests. Yajaira Cuapio, a San Francisco educator, emphasized the protest's message: 'We want ICE out, we want the ICE terror to end.'
The 'ICE Out' movement gained momentum after a similar effort in Minneapolis the previous week, aiming to halt economic activity as a symbol of opposition to the increased enforcement. This led to thousands of arrests, many of whom had no criminal records. In recent weeks, immigration officials have conducted raids targeting Somali-owned businesses and near schools, detained children as young as two, and fatally shot two protesting U.S. citizens. These actions have sparked new waves of demonstrations and public outcry from officials and advocates across the country.
John Logan, a professor of labor and employment studies, noted the impact of the protest, saying, 'Last Friday's massive street demonstrations and economic disruption, supported by the local community and some businesses, seemed to have an immediate effect.' This inspired politicians and labor leaders to speak out against the Minneapolis operations. Some Republican lawmakers have begun to break with the Trump administration over its 'surges' in U.S. cities, targeting Minneapolis, Portland, Los Angeles, Washington, and Chicago since the summer.
The protest's impact was felt nationwide, with Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Thom Tillis calling for the ouster of Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. The rare general strike in the U.S. reflects a sense of outrage over the violent and homicidal conduct of ICE in dealing with peaceful protests. The national shutdown aims to draw attention to the business community and political leaders, seeking to reform the grievances of workers. Many Bay Area union chapters participated, with some members joining individually. The California Faculty Association encouraged members to show support, and several businesses in San Francisco and Menlo Park closed to demonstrate solidarity.
Troy Goode attended the protest with his middle-school-aged daughter, highlighting the role of youth in the movement. Meanwhile, numerous local businesses, including coffee shops and restaurants, closed their doors or pledged solidarity with the action. Camden Emery, a co-owner of Booksmith bookstore, explained the decision to close, stating, 'We are closed because, as a group and as a store, that feels like the clearest way to communicate our support with Minnesota and the way that we feel we need to engage with the crisis we're all living through right now.' The strike aimed to build solidarity and provide hope, with many businesses offering support to the protest through donations and free goods.
