Target Facing More Community Backlash

Transcript

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HOST: You're listening to North Star Stories: Voices from Where We Live. Today in Minnesota…

ANCHOR: …the latest on the criminal case against former State Senator Justin Eichorn. Then, why Target is facing even more backlash in its hometown, and the proposed data center for Hermantown clears another hurdle.

I'm Gracie J.

A federal judge has ruled against former State Senator Justin Eichorn who asked that his indictment be dismissed on the grounds of selective prosecution. Eichorn claimed he's facing harsher charges because he was an elected official at the time of his arrest. He also made a motion to suppress evidence he claimed was unlawfully seized. AMPERS member station KAXE reports that the judge rejected most of Eichorn's motions but did grant one requesting the government provide the true date of the undercover officer who posed for the photo to which he responded. The court has not set a trial date for the former senator.

Up next, civil rights groups are demanding Target Corporation ban federal agents from using its stores' parking lots. As Xan Holston explains, the demands come after community leaders say Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents used a Target parking lot in Minneapolis to prepare before moving into the community to make arrests.

Xan Holston: On a bitterly cold afternoon, about 100 people gathered at Minneapolis East Lake Street Target parking lot to call out the company they say continues to fail their community.

Luis Argueta: We're standing here outside of Target asking that they speak out with us and take action against ICE strike raids and attacks on our communities.

Xan Holston: Luis Argueta is an organizer with Unidos MN, one of the groups leading the push. Their demand is straightforward.

Luis Argueta: We are calling on Target to adopt a clear public, unwavering policy that says no ICE staging.

Xan Holston: The day before, residents documented Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE setting up at Target's East Lake Street and Richfield locations. The ramped-up operations follow President Trump's threats to end Temporary Protected Status for Somali-American families. He also called Somali people "garbage," rhetoric community leaders say has fueled fear and anger. Argueta says it's time for Target to stand up to the President.

Luis Argueta: You cannot sell joy while hosting fear. You cannot market belonging while providing cover for intimidation. You cannot celebrate our communities on your commercials while letting ICE stalk them in your parking lot.

Xan Holston: Organizers say Target has long benefited from immigrant workers and shoppers, and that staying quiet while federal agents use its property sends the opposite message. In an email to North Star Stories, Target said it doesn't have any cooperative agreement with ICE but did not say whether it will intervene if agents use its parking lots. Civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong told the crowd targets corporate silence as part of a wider pattern.

Nekima Levy Armstrong: We saw the handwriting on the wall when Target made its decision to roll back its focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Xan Holston: Last January, Target pulled its DEI programs under pressure from the incoming Trump administration, prompting nationwide boycotts. It also contributed $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund, something the retailer had never done before for any president.

Nekima Levy Armstrong: We have to continue to hold Target Corporation and other companies accountable who choose profits over people, who choose tyranny and authoritarianism over justice and equality.

Xan Holston: In Minneapolis, the city government has become more outspoken. Police Chief Brian O'Hara said, if Minneapolis Police see violations of human or civil rights by ICE agents--

Brian O'Hara: They absolutely have a duty to intervene as police officers.

Xan Holston: And earlier this month, Mayor Jacob Frey issued an executive order barring ICE from setting up in any city-owned parking lots, ramps or garages. Unidos MN organizer Cathy Quick called that a positive step for the city, and hopes to see private businesses like Target follow suit.

Cathy Quick: We know that we can no longer wait it out to see what will happen or keep our heads down so that our cities won't become a target. We are a target. It is too late to avoid trouble. The trouble is here.

Xan Holston: For North Star Stories, I'm Xan Holston.

ANCHOR: You are listening to North Star Stories.

The city of Hermantown says it will not conduct additional environmental reviews of a proposed data center. A group of residents referring to itself as Stop the Hermantown Data Center submitted a petition for an environmental assessment to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board earlier this year. The agency forwarded the request back to the city, which then denied the request. Residents opposing the data center say they will work with the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy to use courts to try and keep the data center out of their community.

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HOST: North Star Stories is produced by AMPERS, diverse radio for Minnesota's communities, with support from the McKnight Foundation and the State of Minnesota. Online at ampers dot org.