NEWS: Community Members Speak About Minnesota Values
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Nekima Levy Armstrong (with microphone) and Luis Argueta Jr. (at left) were among community leaders calling for Minnesota businesses like Target to stand up for community values and protect its employees and customers from ICE agents. (photo by Sarah Whiting)
On a cold December afternoon, near the Lake Street Target parking lot in Minneapolis, community members stood in the cold for a press conference about Minnesota values.
Nekima Levy Armstrong said: “People watching from home have no idea how freezing cold it is, but we’re here because we care. We’re here because we understand the importance and power of our shared humanity. … We know the terror ICE has caused in our communities, dragging families and even children out of their homes, from their workplaces, from their places of worship, from child care centers, even schools. Just this morning, I received a text message from my child’s school in North Minneapolis saying they had heard reports that ICE was targeting North Minneapolis today. It is unconscionable, inhumane, and we will not tolerate it as a community.”
Armstrong indicated that two daughters in the Dayton family — founders of Target — wrote an op-ed in the LA Times saying they do not agree with Target’s actions and calling them to align with [community-based] values. “We’re grateful to the Dayton family for upholding Minnesota’s values. We’re disappointed in Target’s executive leadership, board, and shareholders for perpetuating hate, authoritarianism, and attacks on some of the most vulnerable people of our community.”
Luis Argueta Jr., of Unidos Minnesota, asked that Target and other local companies “take action against ICE raids and attacks on our communities, instead of allowing ICE to stage raids in their parking lot. Just as they asked us to politely move off to the side of their parking lot [for this press conference], I hope they are asking ICE to move off their lots.”
Argueta called out the Republican administration’s use of “cruelty as policy. We’ve watched politicians treat division like a weapon. We’ve watched corporations like Target stay silent while their workers and customers are abducted by masked agents in unmarked vehicles. Shame. Some of us have stopped shopping at Target … but we know that immigrant workers keep that store alive, and Target has turned their backs. Target’s mission statement is to ‘help all families find joy.’”
Jaylani Hussein, who leads the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, added: “What keeps bringing people to this state are warm hearts. We say to President Trump and to others who come for us, we are our neighbors. When we see our friends stuck in the snow, we push them out. In Minnesota, we have incredible people from all over the world who have come to live here. We know history will teach Target and other companies that darkness does not prevail. Light prevails. Love prevails. Hate fails.”
(photo by Sarah Whiting)
Action Steps
Armstrong said: “Today we are sending Target a message. We are expecting you to step up to the plate and to speak the truth with regard to your actual values. If you do not agree with the Trump administration and ICE coming into your parking lot, then send out a statement — just as easily as you did in January when you said you were going to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“This is a multi-billion dollar company with over 1,900 stores across the country. People like us and our families have supported them and made them what they are.”
Argueta noted that the City of Minneapolis now has an executive order banning ICE from using public lots and city property to stage operations. “That is what responsible leadership looks like. That is what it means to protect the people that you serve. We’re calling on Target to follow the city’s lead. We are here to say: ‘You cannot have it both ways. You cannot sell joy while hosting fear. You cannot market belonging while providing cover for intimidation. … If you claim values, then you must honor them. If you say joy for all, then you must protect all.’ This is the Minnesota that we believe in — a Minnesota where neighbors link arms, not look over their shoulders. A Minnesota where corporations do not bend to cruelty but rise to courage. Stand with community that made you what you are.”
Local resident Kathy Quick called on city mayors, city council members, police chiefs, and government leaders, “to protect all of us. We are here to insist that we maintain a hard line of separation between local police and ICE actions. We are here to invite all residents to actively stand up to protect everyone’s rights and dignity. ICE is being sent into our communities under the guise of protecting our communities from dangerous criminals, but they are not protecting us. They are ripping our families apart. ICE is the threat to our safety. … We know that they’re doing this so they can justify sending in masked ICE agents, so they can overreach rightful restraints on federal power and force, as we’ve seen with National Guard being sent into other cities.”
Argueta noted: “I believe in a Minnesota that is dignified living for all. We believe that every family, no matter their race, no matter their status, no matter their story, deserves to live with dignity. We believe that every child deserves to grow up without fear. We believe that every worker deserves to make Minnesota a home for the people they love. We believe fear has no place in the everyday lives of our neighbors.”
To support our coverage:
For 2025 coverage, Minnesota Women’s Press earned a community leadership award, three photography awards, and four editorial awards, including for coverage of social issues and for our Spring 2025 “Know Your Rights” special section supported by Unidos MN. Our publisher was named Journalist of the Year by Violence Free Minnesota for gender-based violence coverage.
