Rank-and-File Postal Workers March in South Minneapolis, Demanding ICE Leave Minnesota

On a chilly Saturday morning, a group of rank-and-file postal workers took to the streets of South Minneapolis, demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) leave Minnesota. The marchers, joined by community members and activists, showed their support for the January 23 shutdown across Minnesota, which aimed to bring attention to the unjust treatment of immigrants by ICE.

The march, organized by the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 17, began at the South Minneapolis Post Office and made its way through the neighborhood, with participants chanting slogans such as “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here” and “Shut down ICE, shut down hate.” The atmosphere was one of solidarity and determination, as the marchers stood united in their demand for justice.

The decision to hold the march in South Minneapolis was not a coincidence. The neighborhood is home to a large immigrant population, many of whom have been affected by ICE’s aggressive tactics. In recent months, there have been numerous reports of families being separated, individuals being detained without due process, and fear spreading throughout the community. The postal workers, who interact with these families on a daily basis, could not stand by and watch their neighbors suffer.

“We are here to stand with our immigrant brothers and sisters and demand that ICE leave Minnesota,” said Sarah Johnson, a postal worker and member of APWU Local 17. “As postal workers, we believe in delivering mail, not delivering fear and hate. We will not be complicit in ICE’s inhumane actions.”

The march also served as a show of support for the January 23 shutdown, which saw businesses, schools, and community organizations across Minnesota close their doors in protest of ICE’s treatment of immigrants. The shutdown, organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC), aimed to send a message to the government that the community will not tolerate the separation of families and the violation of human rights.

“We are proud to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who participated in the January 23 shutdown,” said Johnson. “Together, we are sending a powerful message that the people of Minnesota will not stay silent while ICE continues to terrorize our communities.”

The march also drew attention to the vital role that immigrants play in the postal service. Many of the workers who took part in the march are immigrants themselves, and they highlighted the contributions that immigrants make to the economy and society as a whole. They also called for an end to the demonization of immigrants and for comprehensive immigration reform that respects the rights and dignity of all individuals.

“We are proud to be postal workers, and we are proud to be immigrants,” said Maria Hernandez, a postal worker and immigrant from Mexico. “We are here to show that immigrants are not a burden, but an essential part of our society. We deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, not targeted and criminalized.”

As the march came to an end, the participants gathered in front of the South Minneapolis Post Office, where they held a rally and listened to speeches from community leaders and activists. The message was clear – ICE must leave Minnesota, and the community will continue to stand in solidarity with immigrants until justice is served.

The rank-and-file postal workers who marched in South Minneapolis showed that they are not just employees of the postal service, but also members of the community who care deeply about the well-being of their neighbors. Their actions serve as a powerful reminder that when we stand together, we can bring about real change and make our voices heard. As the fight for immigrant rights continues, let us remember the words of the marchers – “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here.”