Western Wisconsin union votes to join Minnesota union in economic blackout protest

A Minnesota union and five regional labor groups will support a statewide economic blackout period on Friday in response to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the state. A labor group in western Wisconsin has voted to join them.

Delegates of the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO on Wednesday unanimously voted to join the Minnesota AFL-CIO and five Minnesota regional labor councils in supporting “the Day of Truth and Freedom,” an event that urges participants not to go to work, school or to shop on Friday in response to the immigration enforcement surge in the area.

The economic blackout is in response to Operation Metro Surge, an immigration enforcement operation that began in the Twin Cities in December 2025. Around 2,400 people have been arrested since the start of the operation, KARE 11 reported. During the operation, 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was killed in Minneapolis when an ICE agent shot into her car, prompting protests across the U.S. and more agents to arrive in Minnesota.

Minnesota unions demanded immigration enforcement leave the state and for the agent who shot Good to be prosecuted. The union also asked Minnesota and national companies to stop economic relations with ICE and refuse ICE from entering their property and using it for staging grounds.

“We’re encouraging members to look at their situations and make the call that’s right for them,” a spokesperson for the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation said. “We’re encouraging folks that can take the day off to take the day off.”

Officials with the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO, which includes more than 20 affiliates, said they were united with the Minnesota labor movement.

“Western Wisconsin workers stand united with the Minnesota labor movement against the violent ICE occupation of our beloved cities that has directly impacted all working families, unionized or not,” WWAFLCIO officials said in a statement. “The disruptions caused in workplaces and families by ICE’s unquenchable actions are unacceptable.”

Since Operation Metro Surge began, western Wisconsin union officials said immigrant and non-immigrant workers have feared for their safety when going to work, being at work and coming home from work. Challenges for workplaces and schools have intensified with workers and families being detained at higher rates, they added.

WWAFLCIO officials didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota construction industry felt pressures of the ICE surge as more migrant trade workers, including those with work permits, were afraid to show up to work, Finance & Commerce reported. Industry officials reported jobsite visits, harassment, project slowdowns, racial profiling and the detention of authorized workers. These direct and indirect actions have affected project timelines, they added.