BREAKING:- The largest general strike in 70 years is happening today in Minnesota. They are demanding ice out for good. Raise your hand if you agree with this✋

While the phrasing suggests an ongoing event “today,” available reports indicate this refers to a major protest action that took place on January 23, 2026, in Minnesota—not a current event in February 2026.

In mid-January 2026, tensions escalated in Minnesota due to expanded federal immigration enforcement operations under the second Trump administration, referred to as “Operation Metro Surge.” This involved a surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) activities, including raids and detentions. The situation intensified after the fatal shootings of individuals, including Renee Nicole Good (a legal observer) and Alex Pretti, by federal agents—incidents captured on video and widely publicized.
In response, a broad coalition of community organizers, faith leaders, labor unions (including endorsements from the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation and others), student groups, and immigrant rights advocates called for a statewide day of action on January 23, 2026. Billed as “ICE Out of Minnesota: Day of Truth & Freedom,” it combined mass protests, business closures, work and school absences, and an “economic blackout” to disrupt normal activity and pressure authorities.
Scale and Impact
Participation: Organizers and media estimates varied, but reports described tens of thousands (some sources citing 50,000–100,000 or more) marching in downtown Minneapolis and other areas, despite sub-zero temperatures (as low as -20°F to -30°F with wind chills). Protesters braved extreme cold, with many in the streets for hours.
Economic Disruption: Hundreds of businesses—reports mention over 700—closed for the day in solidarity. This included coffee shops, restaurants, retail stores, and others that either shut down completely or repurposed spaces as warming stations or community hubs. Many workers stayed home, and students walked out or skipped classes.
Demands: The core call was for “ICE out for good”—the immediate withdrawal of ICE and CBP agents from Minnesota, accountability for agents involved in deaths (including prosecution), rejection of additional federal funding for ICE, and in some cases, broader calls to abolish or defund the agency. Protesters also highlighted community fear, particularly among immigrant families.

This action was frequently described in media and activist circles as the largest coordinated labor stoppage or general strike in the U.S. in decades—often cited as the first major general strike in 70–80 years, drawing comparisons to historical events like the 1934 Minneapolis Teamsters strike or the 2006 “Day Without Immigrants” protests.
Follow-Up Actions
The January 23 event inspired further mobilization:
Student groups at the University of Minnesota called for additional actions, including a follow-up day of economic blackout on January 30, 2026, which aimed to go national with “no work, no school, no shopping” to protest ICE.
Nationwide protests and vigils occurred in subsequent days, with demonstrations in cities across multiple states.
Some businesses faced ongoing pressure, including rallies targeting companies like Target over their handling of ICE-related incidents.
While the January 23 mobilization was historic in scale for recent U.S. labor and protest actions—especially in its combination of union backing, widespread closures, and street turnout—no evidence points to a new “largest general strike” occurring precisely “today” in February 2026. The viral headline appears to stem from recirculated posts about the January event, amplified for solidarity or awareness.
This moment highlighted deep divisions over immigration policy, federal enforcement tactics, and community resistance, with participants viewing it as a stand against perceived overreach and violence. Whether it leads to lasting policy changes remains an open question amid ongoing national debates. ✋ What are your thoughts on this?