Northeast Wisconsin storefronts display an 'ICE OUT' poster during the nationwide protest. January 30, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Walking down College Avenue in downtown Appleton Friday, at least two stores were closed, with “ICE OUT” posters hung in their windows.
It’s part of a nationwide “economic blackout” to protest ICE activity in Minnesota. Organizers called for supporters to stay home from work and school and not go shopping in an effort to “stop funding ICE.”
Amano Print House in Appleton was one of those stores. A series of photos and videos posted to Instagram showed signs and t-shirts that had been made for those protesting.
In Green Bay, the Loom and Lore Bookmobile took part in the blackout.
“We are immensely grateful to be able to participate both personally and professionally in today’s economic blackout,” said Bookmobile co-founder and CMO Sydney Vassal. “So, we are not open for business today [Friday]. Tomorrow [Saturday] we will actually be donating 20% of the sales that we make to local organizations on the ground in Minnesota.”
Vassal said participating in the blackout is a way of speaking up.
“It’s so important for us to make an impact and make our voices heard by the people that are in charge of the economy, but also funding ICE and continuing to take these actions,” she said.
During a news conference Thursday, White House Border Czar Tom Homan reiterated his commitment to President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
“ICE and [Customs and Border Patrol] officers are performing their duties in a challenging environment under tremendous circumstances,” Homan said. “But they’re trying to do it with professionalism. If they don’t, it’ll be dealt with. Like any other federal agency, we have standards of conduct.”
The blackout was scheduled to just be Friday, but multiple businesses say they’ll continue protests throughout the area.
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