More than a dozen area-owned businesses participate in the nationwide shutdown on Friday

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Many local businesses have announced on social media that they would not be open on Friday to join in the nationwide protest against ICE. While there are some who are open, they say they are showing other ways to support in solidarity.

“We thought it was really important to participate in this to show our solidarity with everything that’s happening across our country to help fighting its facism, and abolish I.C.E. and what they’re doing. The inhumane treatment of people is something that we are seeing a lot of right now, and we want to make sure that we are part of the people that are standing up and saying this is not okay,” said Kristina Lau, Unglued Shop Manager.

Unglued is one of several local businesses that are openly sharing they are in support of the protest. Other businesses that are open today, but still expressing support through donations to places like the ACLU, include Moonrise Cafe, Thunder Coffee, Black Coffee and Waffle Bar, Froth Coffee House, and others.

“It shows our support for the Twin Cities area and the invasion of I.C.E. in the area, and their harassment of people throughout the community. So standing up like this no matter what city you’re in just shows that like we’re all in this together. We are one nation united,” said Lau.

One of the businesses that has closed for the day said on Facebook that they have received messages to stop being political. But they defended their actions and said it’s not political but for human rights.

“We do not see our work as political maneuvering, but rather as a commitment to defending the basic human rights and constitutional protections afforded to every individual in our nation.”

Unglued said they will continue to support the ongoing protests and support the needs of their community.