Numerous businesses in Montana closed or altered their operations Friday, aligning with a national protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This widespread movement, dubbed the “no work, no school, no shopping” strike, aims to challenge ICE’s tactics since President Donald Trump’s second term began. The protests highlight ongoing concerns over federal actions in Minneapolis and beyond.
Participants are “stepping away from business as usual,” emphasized by Missoula’s Noteworthy Paper and Press in a Facebook post, underscoring the choice of “solidarity over sales, care over convenience, and people over profit.” The protests saw significant participation in Missoula, Helena, Livingston, and Bozeman, with fewer participants in Billings, Great Falls, Kalispell, and smaller communities.
Some businesses expressed support online but stayed open due to logistical challenges. Helena’s Sunflower Bakery, for instance, cited sourdough’s lengthy preparation process as a reason for remaining operational. Owner Rihanna Thomas of Big Sky Fertility and Wellness in Bozeman also expressed her support while stating her need to work, reflecting the challenges small business owners face balancing activism with economic realities.
Missoula saw over two dozen businesses participate, with some closing in solidarity and others opting to remain open but pledging a portion of profits to related causes. Clyde Coffee, with locations in the Missoula Public Library and Higgins Ave., halted sales while maintaining its space as a community hub. Hi-Line Climbing Center in Great Falls announced its closure in support of Minnesota’s quest for fair governance.
In Great Falls, businesses like Cassiopeia Books and Luna Coffee weighed community needs against protest participation. Owner Millie Whalen of Cassiopeia Books decided to stay open, concerned about disrupting customers from out-of-town communities, while Luna Coffee highlighted its role as an inclusive space for marginalized groups.
Creative Reuse Montana in Livingston offered a pay-what-you-can session, emphasizing the importance of community resources and activism. Bozeman’s Country Bookshelf remained open, providing a welcoming space for activism, while Montago Coffee Co. in Helena chose to donate proceeds to the legal fund of Roberto Orozco-Ramirez, highlighting the complexities businesses face when choosing how to support the ICE OUT protests.
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