The Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) are set to close on Friday, January 23, joining a widespread economic blackout across the Twin Cities to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities. This initiative, titled ‘ICE Out of Minnesota: Day of Truth and Freedom,’ follows the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Macklin Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7, which sparked significant local and national outrage.
A spokesperson for the Walker Art Center stated their closure aligns with their commitment to community, staff support, and prioritizing safety. Artist Nile Harris also canceled his Friday performance at the Center in solidarity with the strike, urging ticket holders to attend his shows on Thursday or Saturday instead. MIA announced its participation on its website and social media, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the impact of these events on the community.
The strike was publicly announced by local faith, labor, and community leaders outside the Hennepin County Government Center on January 13. JaNaé Bates Imari, associated with Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church, encouraged collective action across different community roles in response to ICE’s increased violence, which included the controversial detention of a five-year-old boy in Columbia Heights.
Numerous other art entities, such as the Minnesota Center for Book Arts and the Textile Center, have expressed their support by closing on January 23. The Minnesota Center for Book Arts highlighted the importance of community solidarity, while the Textile Center focused on the interconnectedness of their work. The Minneapolis College of Art and Design has also delayed its winter exhibition opening to prioritize community safety and wellbeing.
Other participating organizations in the Day of Truth and Freedom include the Minnesota Children’s Museum, the Minnesota Museum of American Art, the Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota, The Museum of Russian Art, Springboard for the Arts, Praxis Photo Arts Center, Articulture, Wet Paint, Juxtaposition Arts, and the Science Museum of Minnesota.
