Minnesota organizer Waris Mohammad described the statewide response after the fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti during Operation Metro Surge, saying organizers brought together businesses, mosques, churches, universities and unions to push back against the crackdown. That organizing included major business shutdowns and demonstrations across the Twin Cities. Hundreds of businesses closed for a Jan. 23 economic blackout, including shops at Karmel Mall, a major hub for Minneapolis’ Somali community. After Pretti was killed by federal agents the following day, another round of protests and walkouts was organized for Jan. 30, drawing hundreds of thousands of demonstrators across the country.
