Minneapolis has become one of the most visible hotspots for ICE activity in Minnesota, with repeated reports of people being detained in public places and at workplaces. After what happened to Renee Good, many Minnesotans began openly calling for ICE to leave the state altogether. Tensions rose even further as new reports of detentions continued to surface, particularly incidents involving retail workers and customers. One of the most disturbing cases occurred at a Minnesota Target store in Richfield, where a 17-year-old U.S. citizen was reportedly dragged out of the store alongside several Target employees.
Videos of the incident circulated widely online and sparked immediate outrage. Many people focused their anger on Minnesota Target leadership, demanding accountability and a clear response from the company’s CEO. For critics, silence from corporate leadership only deepened concerns about worker safety and the role large corporations play when federal agents operate on their property.
Among the groups pushing hardest for answers is ISAIAH, a Minnesota-based nonprofit made up of multiracial and multi-faith congregations. The organization recently announced that Minnesota clergy had secured a commitment from the Target CEO to meet in person following sustained protests and a sit-in at Target’s corporate headquarters. In a Facebook video shared by ISAIAH, a clergy organizer described how roughly 120 clergy members gathered, chanting and demanding that Minnesota Target leadership issue a public statement about what happened in Richfield and about ICE activity across the state.
The clergy demanded that Minnesota Target side with community members and workers rather than remaining neutral. They also called on Target to operate as a Fourth Amendment business, meaning ICE agents would not be allowed onto Target property without a valid warrant. According to the organizer, Target staff initially said a meeting with the CEO was not possible, but that position changed after hours of waiting, singing, and public pressure.
When news of the meeting commitment spread online, reactions were mixed. Some people expressed relief that Minnesota Target leadership would finally be forced to address the situation directly. One commenter wrote, “I was there with them yesterday. I think Target realized it was not a good look to refuse to talk with our leaders, and then to hang up on them. I don’t trust Target and I don’t shop there anymore, but at least Brian will have to figure out answers to some tough questions. The people in ISAIAH are extremely active on social issues. They are protesting, donating, collecting and delivering essentials to immigrant families, and more. Not every clergyperson cares, but quite a few do and are willing to risk their safety.”
Others were far less satisfied, arguing that a meeting alone was not enough. Another user wrote, “I don’t care if you talk to clergy. Make an actual statement. Take accountability for what happened to your team members at the Richfield Minnesota Target store. Show some backbone and stop trying to appease both sides. A kid was taken from one of your stores and left injured.”
Skeptics also questioned whether the Target CEO would take a meaningful stance at all. One commenter predicted a familiar corporate response, writing, “Future summary: Target CEO says they support Minnesotans who are making their voices heard, and also says Target supports law enforcement. In other words, corporate language that tries to play both sides while changing nothing.”
