Some Alexandria businesses closed and others encouraged civic involvement last week during nationwide strikes protesting immigration enforcement.
In Old Town, businesses like fibre space, Friends to Lovers Bookstore and Ms. Moxie’s Moon Shop made posts encouraging actions such as donating money or supplies and contacting lawmakers to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after agents shot and killed Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis and detained a 5-year-old child.
Some businesses, like Penny Post in Old Town, closed in a show of support for nationwide “Ice Out” strikes on Friday. Others spent the day calling for civic involvement.
“The number one thing people have been asking, is kind of, ‘what can I do locally?'” Friends to Lovers Owner Jamie Fortin told ALXnow. “I think the biggest thing is, you know, get together with your communities and just talk about things … sharing information is the best resource we have.”
The shop remained open for the day as a “community center,” pledging to donate some proceeds to Community Aid Network MN. It also provided whistles, red “know your rights” cards and materials for guests to contact their lawmakers.
The federal government went into a partial shutdown Saturday as Democrats pressed for reforms to immigration enforcement in a funding package. Fortin collected letters urging Virginia lawmakers to not approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
Old Town Books hosted similar efforts Friday, offering “draft scripts to help you make calls urging them to take steps to support Minnesota, remove ICE from our cities and stop their inhumane treatment of all human beings.”
“What’s happening all around us is frightening and dark, and it can be easy to feel alone and powerless,” the business wrote on Instagram. “We’re here to remind you that you’re not alone or powerless.”
Nearby, Ms. Moxie’s Moon Shop collected donations of menstrual products and supplies for Minneapolis residents. A box by the register and the store’s backroom stored items like pads, tampons, bras and underwear, which will be sent to a community organizer in Minneapolis through nonprofit I Support The Girls, owner Emily Coccia said.
“Periods don’t stop for shutdowns, violence, uncertainty or hard days,” Coccia said. “If anything, access to menstrual care becomes even more essential during these times.”
As of this afternoon, the House of Representatives has passed a bill to end the partial shutdown, with DHS funding put in a two-week stopgap.
