People around North Texas took part in a Nationwide Day of Action on Friday, calling for the removal of ICE agents from Minneapolis and other U.S. cities.
They joined thousands of people marching in multiple cities across the country.
It comes as the Department of Homeland Security confirms the FBI is opening a civil rights investigation into the border patrol shooting of Alex Pretti.
Flower Mound’s Hive Bakery was one of several DFW-based businesses to take to social media and share their support.
“It’s important, I think, to use your platform, use your voice,” said owner Haley Popp.
Since the beginning of January, Popp has been selling anti-ICE t-shirts and cookies.
“I think it should be abolished. It shouldn’t exist. I believe immigrants should be welcome here in this country every day, all the time,” Popp said.
As protesters gathered for a second day in Dallas and students in Fort Worth and Hurst walked out of class, organizers called on businesses to close, encouraging people not to spend money.
While some did, many others said it simply wasn’t feasible.
“It was such a tough week for small businesses. We had to close because of the snowstorms,” said owner of Oak Cliff’s Olmo Market Cindy Pedraza.
On Instagram, Popp shared a similar sentiment, saying she had employees who depended on paychecks for rent. Instead, she encouraged customers to focus their spending on local businesses.
The efforts come one day after President Donald Trump pushed back on his administration’s announcement that it would “draw down” officers in Minnesota.
“Will you be pulling back immigration enforcement agents out of Minnesota?” asked a reporter.
“We’re going to keep our country safe. We’ll do whatever we can to keep our country safe,” said Trump.
“So not pulling back?” asked the reporter.
“No, no, not at all,” said Trump.
Like several other North Texas businesses. Popp said she’s donating part of her proceeds to organizations assisting immigrants.
Sales of t-shirts and her anti-ICE cookies are benefiting Vecinos Unidos and Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee.
She said any backlash she’s faced for sharing her beliefs publicly has been more than matched with support.
“We’re here. This is what we believe, and we’re trying to find all those pockets of people that believe the same, because I think there’s strength in numbers. And if you can unify and fight something like this. That is the resistance,” said Popp.
