Natasha Frost acknowledges the difficult factors that play into the decision to close a small business, even for a day.
“I think it’s really hard for a small businesses to make this decision, and we are called to make this decision because the people in leadership are not making those choices for the good of our community,” said the owner of Wooden Spoon bakery in Old Town Mankato.
This week Wooden Spoon was the first of many businesses in Mankato to make that decision and to stand in solidarity with the Day of Truth and Freedom protest happening across the state Friday.
“We used our values to make the decision and, based on that, we decided to stand with our neighbors who are immigrants, Indigenous, Black and people of color and decided to close in solidarity for the protest,” Frost said.
The protest day called for an economic and social blackout, encouraging people to stay home from work, school and shopping to bring attention to the increased federal immigration enforcement happening statewide.
The spark lit by Wooden Spoon soon spread across the region, with a number of businesses — including, but not limited to, the Coffee Hag, the Nicollet County Historical Society, Pulp Comics, the Wine Cafe and the 410 Project — deciding to either close or open late.
Frost says she did her best to help other business owners make that decision. “We’ve been sharing our experiences with other businesses in the area who are choosing to either stay open or to close. We had already been talking to other businesses prior to making the decision.”
River Rock Coffee & Tea, with locations in Mankato and St. Peter, explained their reasoning for staying open on Facebook. “We believe warmth, safety, and access to community matter — especially right now. Our space will continue to be a safe landing spot for immigrants and neighbors alike. River Rock is a place to warm up, gather, have tough conversations, and feel less alone,” the business wrote in a post Thursday.
However, even the decision to remain open could be done in solidarity. River Rock, for instance, brought members from Indivisible, a social activism group, inside to share “No-ICE bingo cards, informational resources, whistles, and (answer) questions for those who wish to learn more.”
Ever since Renee Good was fatally shot in a Minneapolis street by an ICE agent Jan. 7, community members all across Minnesota, including in this region, have called for an end to ICE’s presence. Those calls weren’t dampened by the bitter cold weather on Friday, when students, residents and organizers lined a street in St. Peter in protest.
The gathering was organized by Gustavus Adolphus College’s Environmental Action Coalition — primarily led by Soren Sackreter, Bradyn Nordeen, Tryg Emstad, Laura Sunnarborg and Beckett Sherman — to give students a chance to have their voices heard.
“I had heard from friends who helped work with Indivisible that they were not planning on a protest today because of the cold and also people from the organization wanted to be part of the Minneapolis one. But as students, we were worried about not being able to get to the Cities … there’s a lot of students who don’t have cars … and so we wanted to have something that’s closer to home while still supporting the cause,” Sackreter said.
According to organizers, the student protest drew over 300 people to Minnesota Square in St. Peter to call for an end to ICE’s presence in Minnesota.
“I think the coolest part about it is that what’s going on right now is already so terrible, the fact that people are willing to come out in such cold temperatures …it’s like, my heart is happy. It was just such a cool experience to see all of those people,” Nordeen said.
Protesters stood outside for around an hour, with students from Gustavus either walking or carpooling to the location. Once there, they were handed hand and foot warmers, hot chocolate and hot dogs to keep participants warm and comfortable.
“I really found that there was a pretty incredible sense of community while we were there, like you could tell (everyone who showed up was) there for the other people around them. Everyone was helping each other out, it was really, really amazing to see,” Emstad said.
The protest comes a little more than a week following a similar gathering on campus at Minnesota State University. Organizers there spoke on the importance of students being a group pushing for social change. That message wasn’t lost on those in St. Peter.
“We are the next group of people to step into a role as adults,” Sherman said. “I think it’s important for people to be motivated and knowledgeable about what’s going on in the world because we’re next. We can make a difference.”
Protesters received support from local businesses, such as River Rock, which offered a place to warm up and get a cup of coffee.
“I think it’s really really meaningful that businesses are making it clear that they care about this issue, too. I’ve read some of the things that Indivisible has about businesses needing to play a role in being anti-ICE and making it clear that it’s not just individual people, it’s organizations that this issue is a priority for. … I really appreciate what local businesses are doing,” Sunnarborg said.
Being part of that conversation, and that change, is critical for “value-driven businesses,” as Frost describes the Wooden Spoon.
“I appreciate when people have a thoughtful conversation with their team, have a show of solidarity for the public and do what is in their ability to do. I also don’t hold any judgment for businesses who have chosen not to wade into the fray or who are staying open,” she said. “What I’ve seen is that local businesses and just regular neighbors around our community are showing up in the way that they can to support the response to this situation.”
Sherman echoed that sentiment.
“It was really nice to see Minnesotans out embracing the cold and standing up for our state, our people, and what people believe in.”