“National Shutdown” Planned for Friday: What You Should Know

A coordinated movement calling itself a “National Shutdown” is scheduled for Friday, January 30, 2026, as activists across the United States urge people to join a general strike and civil protests in opposition to aggressive federal immigration enforcement and recent fatal shootings involving U.S. immigration agents. Organizers are calling on Americans to abstain from work, school and shopping that day to exert economic pressure and demonstrate widespread discontent with current policies.

The “National Shutdown” campaign, backed by a coalition of community groups, student associations and labor unions, promotes a full‑day pause on normal activities with slogans like “no work, no school, no shopping” and demands an end to federal funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Several recent incidents involving federal agents have heightened public outrage and helped fuel the movement. These include the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, as well as other fatal confrontations that organizers cite as examples of what they describe as overly forceful and unjust immigration operations.

Ahead of Friday, demonstrations and vigils have been planned in cities ranging from New Haven, Connecticut, to Denver and Salt Lake City, where participants are expected to hold rallies, protests and boycotts to show solidarity with the broader strike. Some local businesses have announced closures or pledges to donate proceeds to immigrant advocacy groups in support of the cause.

In addition to street protests, the broader movement mirrors nationwide calls from coalitions that organized a general strike in Minnesota earlier in January, where tens of thousands marched and halted parts of daily life in opposition to federal immigration enforcement tactics.

Although the National Shutdown protests are principally grassroots and civil in nature, they coincide with ongoing political tension in Washington over federal funding — particularly for the Department of Homeland Security, which sponsors agencies such as ICE. Some lawmakers, including Senate Democrats, have tied concerns over immigration enforcement to spending negotiations, which could affect the federal government’s budget deadline.

Supporters of the National Shutdown campaign say their actions are meant to spotlight public frustration and demand accountability, while critics warn that such widespread stoppages could disrupt daily life and commerce without clear legislative outcomes. Nonetheless, organizers are urging as many Americans as possible to participate in Friday’s activities to make their voices heard.