NEW YORK — Activists are rallying to protest at over two dozen Target stores across the U.S. as part of a campaign urging the retailer to take a public stance against a recent immigration crackdown in Minnesota. The grassroots organization ICE Out Minnesota, which includes community groups, faith leaders, and labor unions, is calling for a week of demonstrations, with the focal point being Target’s headquarters in Minneapolis.

The protests come in the wake of a controversial incident last month when federal agents detained two Target employees in Richfield, a suburb of Minneapolis. This has intensified calls for the retailer to publicly oppose actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), especially after a series of tragic events, including the shootings of two protestors at an anti-ICE demonstration in the city.

Elan Axelbank, a member of Socialist Alternative in Minnesota, was among those organizing a protest outside a Target store in the Dinkytown area. He criticized the retailer for failing to act in defense of the community, stating, “They claim to be part of the community, but they are not standing up to ICE.”

Demonstrations are set to take place in various cities, including St. Paul, Boston, Chicago, and San Diego. However, Target has opted not to comment regarding the protests at this time.

Target has faced scrutiny since a video surfaced depicting federal agents detaining employees at one of its stores, igniting further critiques about its lack of action against federal immigration enforcement. Luis Argueta, a spokesperson for Unidos Minnesota, emphasized that their protests would center on the Richfield location, urging Target to deny entry to federal agents unless they present valid judicial warrants.

Legal experts have pointed out that, regardless of Target’s policies, federal agents can access public areas of businesses, complicating any efforts to restrict their presence. Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData’s retail division, noted that while some individuals advocate for stronger actions against ICE, Target must operate within legal frameworks.

Following the tragic incidents involving the deaths of community members during attempts by federal agents to carry out deportations, Target’s chief executive, Michael Fiddelke, expressed sorrow over the violence in the community but did not address the immigration issue directly in his messages to staff.

The recent protests echo a year of turmoil for Target, which has also faced backlash for rolling back diversity and inclusion initiatives, causing many to perceive this as a retreat from its commitment to social justice. Critics argue that these decisions undermine the values of a company that has positioned itself as a supporter of progressive causes, particularly in a liberal city like Minneapolis.

As protests unfold at a small fraction of Target’s nearly 2,000 locations, the implications for the retailer could be significant. Activists are leveraging this moment, with a coalition of Mennonite congregations organizing their own demonstrations, advocating for a public call to defund ICE.

Among these congregations, Rev. Joanna Lawrence Shenk from the First Mennonite Church in San Francisco described their actions as a form of solidarity for vulnerable immigrant communities. She noted their planned events are meant to express love and support through song while highlighting the risk faced by immigrants.

With protests ramping up and community tensions heightened, Target finds itself navigating complex issues of corporate responsibility and public perception at a time when it is also dealing with fluctuating sales and customer expectations.