Activists Call for Nationwide Day of No Work, School or Shopping; Some Local Businesses Plan to Join Strike

Update: Additional Redlands-area businesses announced closures for the Jan. 30 general strike after this article was published. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Activists are calling for a “nationwide day of no school, no work and no shopping” on Friday, Jan. 30, as part of a general strike protesting federal immigration enforcement following the fatal shootings of two people by federal agents in Minneapolis. How much the action will affect Redlands and the surrounding area remains unclear.

The call for a general strike grew out of large demonstrations in Minnesota earlier this month, where protests over ICE activity and the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti escalated into a coordinated shutdown that included business closures and mass walkouts. Organizers have since urged supporters nationwide to participate through a one-day economic boycott.

It remains unclear how many people will participate or what effect, if any, the action will have on ICE operations. The National Shutdown website lists hundreds of organizations as endorsers.

So far, only a small number of local businesses have publicly announced plans to participate.

Slow Bloom Coffee in Redlands said it will close Friday in solidarity with the strike. In a social media post, the worker-owned cooperative said its employees will receive paid time off and plan to attend protests together.

“As a worker-owned cooperative, we believe labor has power,” the business wrote in an Instagram post. “On Friday, we’ll be closed for the general strike. Our workers will be paid and we’ll be using the day to organize and attend the protest together. No business as usual, but collective action instead.”

Hoji Tea Room in Redlands also announced on social media that it will be closed Friday, Jan. 30, in observance of the nationwide general strike.

“We ourselves are made up of immigrants, grateful for our parents who are immigrants, instilled with values to work hard, extend kindness, gratitude and respect,” the business wrote on Instagram Thursday. “For us, closing up shop for a day hurts, but this is our mere offering to show support.”

Happy Medium Deli in Calimesa also announced in an Instagram post it will close for the day.

“We will be participating in the General Strike by closing shop this Friday, January 30th, in solidarity with Minnesota’s call to action,” the business said, adding that staff will receive a paid day off.

The deli cited concerns about immigration enforcement and detention practices, saying, “We believe in collective action and all power to the people, always.”

Local political groups have encouraged residents to participate to the extent they are able. The Redlands Area Democrats posted on social media urging people to stay home, limit spending and support local businesses if shopping is necessary, describing the strike as part of nationwide “Stop ICE” actions.

In addition to the strike, demonstrations are planned in the region. Organizers have scheduled ICE Out protests in downtown Riverside on Friday at 3pm, with a separate gathering planned for Saturday morning at 10am in Downtown Redlands.

The Inland Empire Labor Council AFL-CIO announced it will show solidarity with the National Shutdown by attending the Riverside protest Friday. Unlike traditional labor strikes, the Jan. 30 action does not have formal backing from major unions and relies largely on voluntary participation, with participation expected to vary by community.

As of Thursday at 12:30pm, the following businesses had publicly announced plans to close Friday in observance of the strike:

• Happy Medium Deli (Calimesa)
• Herman York Wine Company (Redlands)
• Hoji Tea Room (Redlands)
• Slow Bloom Coffee (Redlands)

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