Activists call for nationwide general strike to protest ICE, Columbus answers

No work. No school. No shopping.

In the wake of increasing state-sanctioned ICE violence – including the killings of Silverio Villegas González in Chicago, Keith Porter Jr. in Los Angeles, and Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis– activists across the country called for a nationwide general strike on Friday, Jan. 30.

The list of organizations endorsing this action, which is available on nationalshutdown.org, continues to grow. Local and statewide organizations listed include Muslim American Society Columbus, Starbucks Workers United Columbus, Ohio 50501, CAIR Ohio, Ohio Immigrant Alliance, The General Strike Ohio, Baladna: Palestine Society of Columbus, Ohio Peace Council, Students for Justice in Palestine at Ohio State University, American Muslims for Palestine: Columbus Chapter, Muslim American Society Columbus, Ohio Progressive Action Leaders, and Ohio District 14 Partners. 

The support of multiple organizations – faith groups, nonprofits, student groups, and community leaders – illustrates the potential impact of this call to action at a critical juncture. And the socialist organizing hub Columbus Liberation Center, which opened in December at 1004 Parsons Ave., is asking Columbus residents to join the fight.

As a member of the Board of Directors for the Columbus Liberation Center, Michelle Pham is well versed in the power of collective action. Speaking by phone the day before the strike, Pham said, “There have been many disturbing developments coming out of the Twin Cities, most recently Alex Pretti’s murder by ICE thugs for legally observing a woman being assaulted on the streets.”

Today’s action will serve as a continuation of last week’s general strike, which Pham hopes will send a message that Columbus is standing in solidarity against ICE attacks on not only Minneapolis, but also on communities throughout the country. On Thursday evening, a few dozen people gathered at the Columbus Liberation Center to make signs (“Stop ICE terror now!”; “Protesting ICE is not a crime”; “Justice for Alex Pretti”) and to discuss ways to better engage family, friends, and community members who might have doubts about the impacts of collective action.

Those who wish to participate can join the call by opting out of work, school, and shopping for the day – an action Pham said is intended to send a message to the federal government: End ICE funding with a Senate vote, and don’t support ICE terrorism.

“Real power comes from people … is really what we believe at the Columbus Liberation Center,” she said. “Across these different organizations and groups, we are all standing against this violence in our communities and in our cities.”

A time-honored tool of the labor movement, general strikes highlight the impact people can have when they come together to slow or halt economic activity. Pham pointed to the use of general strikes to increase economic, social, welfare, workplace, and civil rights throughout United States history, with outcomes such as the eight-hour workday and the end of child labor.

“Many of our rights have been won through peaceful disobedience, working-class struggle, and people demanding an end by withholding their labor,” Pham said. “Today, we treat these rights as fundamental and as a given, but when we look at our history, it’s very clear that every right that we have has been fought for.”

Pham warns that if people don’t stand up for their rights, they could be taken away. Organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union have also criticized the current administration’s attacks on free speech and freedom of assembly, further illustrating the need for immediate action.

“If we want to continue being able to assemble and speak out against these undemocratic policies, we have to stand together and use our voice to fight – not only for ourselves, but for those in our communities who are most vulnerable,” Pham said, noting that fear and intimidation are the main tactics the Trump administration has embraced as a means to silence dissent. “This call to action is telling people to do the opposite, because our real safety comes in numbers when we all speak out and stand together.”

While many are feeling overwhelmed by current news headlines, Pham said that the last thing people should do is tune out. Instead, she recommended joining a protest, learning about local grassroots groups who are spearheading this work, and talking to people about what’s going on in our communities. “Everyone has different circumstances, but we all have something to contribute – a small action is far better than doing nothing,” she said.

Like many other cities, Columbus has seen a surge in ICE activity in more recent months, prompting statements from groups such as teachers’ unions and leading students to spearhead walkouts. In December, 280 people in central Ohio were arrested by ICE in just five days. 

Shortly after, Somali-owned daycares became the target of harassment by conservative influencers, provoking fears for the safety of employees and children. And now Springfield is bracing for a potential influx of ICE agents in early February, when thousands of residents of Haitian descent are set to lose their temporary legal status, giving Ohioans an extra incentive to speak out in defense of their neighbors, friends, and coworkers.

In addition to the general strike, a protest will take place at 3 p.m. today (Friday, Jan. 30) at the Ohio Statehouse. The protest will give residents a chance to rally in solidarity with the Twin Cities while sending a clear message to Ohio lawmakers: No ICE in our communities, and no federal support for ICE activities. 

For Pham, this moment provides an opportunity to band together in a show of support for the most vulnerable in our communities. “The biggest thing we can do is move people into collective action,” she said. “There’s only so much we can do as individuals, but when we unite and fight together, so much more is possible.”