Rob AriasA coalition of social justice and labor organizations marched through rain-soaked streets in Emeryville on Tuesday evening, protesting recent actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minnesota and seeking to pressure corporations they say can influence federal policy.
Coordinated by an organization named CURYJ (Communities United For Restorative Youth Justice), participants assembled at Huichin Park at 6 p.m. The location was chosen because of its proximity to Emeryville’s big box retail stores of Home Depot and Target which organizers have labeled “corporate enablers of ICE.”
According to organizers, the demonstration was intended to pressure the two companies to publicly oppose federal funding for ICE, restrict access to their stores by immigration enforcement agents without judicial warrants, and provide staff training on how to respond to encounters with immigration officials. Organizers also called on the retailers to post signage asserting Fourth Amendment protections within their stores.
The protest was part of a broader national campaign focused on corporate involvement in immigration enforcement. Organizers cited Target’s Minnesota roots — where the company is among the state’s largest employers — as well as the company’s recent political donations and changes to diversity initiatives as reasons for its inclusion. These corporate actions have led some to boycotting by some consumers.
Target has yet to respond or relent to these pressures but their CEO along with more than 60 others have called for “deescalation” of the ongoing tensions in an open letter following the second civilian killing by ICE agents. “With yesterday’s tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions,” the letter reads.
Organizers also alleged that Home Depot has allowed immigration enforcement activity in its parking lots and stores, a claim the company has routinely disputed.
“We are not coordinating with ICE or Border Patrol, and we’re not involved in the operations,” said George Lane, manager of corporate communications for Home Depot, said in an email to The LA Times last November. “We aren’t notified that immigration enforcement activities are going to happen, and often, we don’t know operations have taken place until they’re over.”
Home Depot has also attempted to push back on these rumors by responding to posts on Social Media.
Some activists have noted that two Home Depot founders, Bernie Marcus and Ken Langone, have praised President Donald Trump and donated to his campaign although neither have been involved with the company in some time. Langone is 90 years old and Marcus died in 2024 at the age of 95.
Both stores remained open despite advanced knowledge of the protests. Protesters entered both stores but no confrontations or arrests were reported. The protest concluded as planned at approximately 9 p.m.
“Our City Manager along with the Emeryville Police Department worked diligently to ensure protesters were safe and welcome to the city,” provided Emeryville City Councilmember Kalimah Priforce who was in attendance. “To make it more than just a moment of resistance, I will continue to fight for land acknowledgments to be a part of our council and school board meetings.”
“It was a peaceful assembly of over 400 people,” provided Emeryville Police Chief Jeff Jennings. adding that there were no arrests, nor any reports of vandalism. “We had a dedicated contingent of officers working to ensure that everything remained calm, and City Hall was also advised and monitoring the events throughout the evening. It is our hope that all civil protests can operate as smoothly as this one did.”
Alameda Supervisors Unanimously Approve “ICE Free Zones,” Countywide Response Plan
Meanwhile, The Alameda County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved two initiatives Tuesday aimed at strengthening protections for immigrant communities amid increased federal immigration enforcement. Authored by District 5 Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas, the measures established “ICE Free Zones” on county-owned and controlled properties and directed the County Administrator to develop a countywide immigration enforcement response plan outlining coordinated protocols among county agencies and community partners.
“This Board made clear that every resident has the right to access the County’s safety net services without fear,” Bas said in a statement. “We will not tolerate ICE ignoring our Constitution, laws, and basic human dignity.” County officials said the response plan will include staff training, public communication strategies, and safeguards to ensure access to county services, courts, and healthcare facilities, while the ICE Free Zones policy prohibits the use of county property for civil immigration enforcement activities and requires posted signage and consistent enforcement procedures.
We will update our story If either Target or Home Depot address the specific demands outlined by organizers.
1/28 UPDATE: We have updated the estimated crowd size based on information provided by the Emeryville PD as well as a short statement from EPD Chief Jeff Jennings.
“I will continue to fight for land acknowledgments to be a part of our council and school board meetings.” Priforce is a total joke. Saying crap like this is not how we fight ICE.
Folks who actually organize with groups like CURYJ and Bay Resistance know this already: Emeryville sits on Ohlone sacred ground that was paved over and erased. That history was named clearly at the protests – so if you’re acting surprised, you either weren’t there or weren’t listening.
Land acknowledgments aren’t “crap.” They’re about telling the truth about displacement, criminalization, and who this system was built to harm. That’s the same root system that gave us ICE.
Dismissing that – and taking cheap shots at a Black elected leader for naming it – isn’t helping the movement. It’s recycling the same erasure and disrespect we’re supposed to be fighting.
If you want to fight ICE, start by respecting the full history of stolen land and targeted communities. Anything less is performative.
Thanks, eville
Excellent reporting. Proud of my neighbors and the board of supervisors.
Where were our mayor and city council in these gatherings? Where is the social and moral leadership we need when we are all confronted by oppression, brutality and tyranny? Did anyone see our city council and mayor at these protests?