Valley schools, businesses expected to participate in National Shutdown protest on Friday

PHOENIX – Many businesses and schools across the Phoenix area are expected to participate in Friday’s National Shutdown protest of federal immigration enforcement activities.

The movement comes in the wake of federal agents fatally shooting Renee Good and Alex Pretti during Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in Minneapolis as well as deaths at the hands of agents elsewhere.

“The people of the Twin Cities have shown the way for the whole country — to stop ICE’s reign of terror, we need to SHUT IT DOWN. On Friday, January 30, join a nationwide day of no school, no work and no shopping. The entire country is shocked and outraged at the brutal killings of Alex Pretti, Renee Good, Silverio Villegas González, and Keith Porter Jr. by federal agents,” the National Shutdown website says.

A map on the website of scheduled actions in the Valley includes a 1 p.m. ICE Out of Phoenix rally at the Arizona Capitol and an unspecified event at Millennium High School in Goodyear at 10 a.m.

Students at several area schools held walkouts earlier this week, and many more are expected to join in Friday. Over 30 Valley schools are planning to hold walkouts, according to the Phoenix Party for Socialism and Liberation.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by PSL Phoenix (@pslphoenixaz)

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne said he supports students’ right to protest but they should do it after school hours.

“Students have the First Amendment right to peacefully protest, but it should be done after school hours. Teachers and other school personnel should not be a part of a protest during class time,” Horne said in a statement.

Changing Hands Bookstore, Stinkweeds Records Store, Ezbachi Japanese Grill and Chilakil To Go are among the local businesses that confirmed they will be closed Friday in a show of solidarity with the community.

“It is time for us to all stand up together in a nationwide shutdown and say enough is enough!” the National Shutdown website says.

Related

Sights and sounds from Phoenix ICE office as people gather for vigil honoring Alex PrettiPhoenix Union reminds families about remote learning options amid ICE activityLive updates for Arizona’s 2026 midterm primaries: County website glitchMain roadway between Maricopa and metro Phoenix closed after fatal incidentArizona voters to choose Republican and Democratic nominees for top education positionRetired Gilbert fire captain honored after dying from job-related cancer