Protesters Rally at Target’s Minneapolis HQ as New CEO Begins Tenure
As Michael Fiddelke steps into the role of CEO at Target Corporation, a significant protest erupted outside the company’s Minneapolis headquarters. The demonstration occurred on a Monday, just 36 hours after activists targeted 23 stores across the Twin Cities.
Key Demands from Activists
The protest, organized by the ICE Out Now Minnesota Coalition, highlighted several demands aimed at Fiddelke and Target:
- Remove Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from Minnesota.
- Exercise Fourth Amendment rights by posting notices that deny ICE access without judicial warrants.
- Train employees to handle ICE encounters effectively.
- Publicly urge President Trump to abolish ICE.
- Lobby Congress to halt ICE funding and investigate alleged constitutional violations.
- Hold federal agents accountable for harming or killing civilians.
Voices of Change
Coalition member Veronica Mendez Moore expressed that Target stands at a pivotal moment. “They can continue to ignore the thousands of voices calling for corporate responsibility or they can listen and demand that ICE leave Minnesota,” she said.
Pastor Doug Mork of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church appealed for courage from Fiddelke. He argued that corporations, which wield significant power, must advocate for community welfare. “We are asking them to show the same level of courage as neighbors who support one another,” Mork stated.
Corporate Responsibility
Last week, Fiddelke signed an open letter alongside 60 other CEOs from Minnesota, advocating for the “immediate de-escalation” of tensions surrounding immigration issues.
Heather Hecker, a physician assistant with Unidos MN, criticized Fiddelke’s previous actions as insufficient. She emphasized the integral role of immigrants in Target’s operations. “They deserve dignity, work permits, and a pathway to citizenship,” she asserted.
Clarifying Target’s Position
Protesters alleged that Target permitted federal agents to coordinate operations in store parking lots. However, sources within the company clarified that Target does not have cooperative agreements with ICE or any immigration enforcement agencies.
Leadership Transition
On his first day, Fiddelke visited a suburban Dallas Target store but later canceled an interview with CBS News Texas. WCCO has also sought additional comments from Target regarding the protests and their stance.
As the situation unfolds, the future direction of Target under Fiddelke’s leadership remains under scrutiny, especially regarding corporate citizenship and community relations.
