Faith leaders from around the state and country will host a rally and march on January 23.
ST PAUL, Minn. — Clergy and faith leaders are calling on the community not to work, shop, or go to school on January 23.
“We ask all Minnesotans to stay home or protest peacefully as they are called to do so,” said JaNaé Bates Imari, co-executive director of ISAIAH and Faith in Minnesota
They’re calling it a Day of Truth and Freedom. They’re calling on employers to give their employees the day off so they can have a day of reflection or participate in community activities. They’re planning to have a rally and march at 2 p.m. in downtown Minneapolis at The Commons.
They also want people to avoid shopping to send a message to big corporations.
“The ones who have been silent, the silence has been deafening and that silence is, namely, coming from our big corporations here in Minnesota. Minnesota is home to some of the largest number of Fortune 500 companies per capita compared to the rest of the country and they have overwhelmingly been silent,” Bates Imari said.
She called out Target, General Mills, 3M, and UnitedHealth Group.
KARE 11 reached out to all of these companies and has not heard back.
Imam Asad Zaman with the Muslim American Society of Minnesota said corporations need to take a stand.
“I would encourage corporations to pick a side, I would encourage them to pick the side of their customers, to pick the side of their employees,” Zaman said.
He said he used to shop at Target, but no longer feels safe. Zaman said Jan. 23 is a consequence of companies’ silence and the fear and injuries federal agents have caused in Minnesota.
“This injustice is unfair,” he said.
Reverend Jinzu Minna Jain with Clouds in Water Zen Center said interrupting the resources of people in power makes a statement.
“It has an impact, and it is really visible, and I think that matters,” they said.
Minna Jain said clergy have always been on the frontlines for change and won’t back down when they see injustice.
“Minnesota is exhausted,” Minna Jain said.
Betzi Sherman with the Clouds in Water Zen Center said interrupting the flow of money to corporations gets their attention.
“This is a direct action. This is not symbolic. We hope are hoping this reminds people we do have power collectively,” she said. “I think it’s important not just to show up for other people but to show up for ourselves.”
Both Sherman and Minna Jain said it’s important for them to be with the community at the rally and march. Minna Jain doing this work can be hard sometimes and they feel rejuvenated by being with others.
Several restaurants are also closing for the day to stand in solidarity with the community.