Multiple Political Parties and Caucuses Endorse January 30 National Shutdown

A planned “National Shutdown” has been organized in response to recent federal immigration enforcement actions and deaths linked to those operations, drawing public backing from a wide range of third party political organizations and independent groups, according to an endorsement list released by organizers.

The shutdown is scheduled for Friday, January 30, and calls on participants nationwide to refrain from work, school, and major consumer activity for the day. A website detailing the effort presents it as highly decentralized in nature, though materials note that early outreach was initially amplified by student organizations at the University of Minnesota, including the Somali Student Association and the Black Student Union, before the campaign grew into something larger.

The action follows a similar general strike led by labor and student groups in Minneapolis on January 23, triggered by the fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents. The upcoming shutdown is being used as both a show of solidarity with those killed during immigration enforcement encounters and a pressure campaign aimed at ending funding for and dismantling U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Organizers claim the current action has been endorsed by more than 1,000 organizations, with over 250 actions planned across 46 states. Among the national political and activist groups backing the effort are the United Front Committee for a Labor Party, the Revolutionary Black Panther Party, the Socialist Equality Party, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation. The Latinx Caucus and the National Women’s Caucus of the Green Party of the United States have also endorsed the action.

“These losses reflect a broader pattern of harm inflicted by federal immigration enforcement on our communities,” the Latinx Caucus said in a recent statement in support. “Families and advocates have shared stories of deaths in custody and use of force that demands public accountability.” The caucus also called on other individuals and organizations to join in the action.

Several Green Party state and local affiliates are also supporting the effort. These include the Pacific Green Party, the Green Party of New Jersey, the Green Party of Hawaii, the Green Party of Kansas, the Green Party of Seattle, and the Orange County Green Party.

Other state and local political organizations listed as participants include a considerable number of Democratic Socialists of America affiliates, the Vermont Progressive Party, Socialist Alternative in Washington, the Communist Party USA’s San Diego chapter, and the Peoples’ Freedom Party Utah, an independent progressive political organization launched last year that is seeking ballot access in that state.