Fresno Protests, Student Walkouts, and Business Closures Mark Nationwide Strike Against ICE

Demonstrators voice opposition to the Trump Administration's immigration crackdown.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:47pm

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A nationwide strike brought protests, student walkouts, and business closures to Fresno as demonstrators voiced opposition to the Trump Administration's immigration crackdown. The grassroots effort, which included calls for no work, no school, and no shopping, unfolded alongside demonstrations in Minneapolis and across the country.

Why it matters

The demonstrations come amid escalating tensions following the deaths of Rene Good and Alex Pretti, who were shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this month. Advocacy groups in the Valley are calling for accountability of aggressive raids, racial profiling, and deadly force by immigration enforcement.

The details

In Fresno, protesters delivered a unified message, calling for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents to leave American cities. Hundreds of students near Fresno High School marched out of class, joining the protest. At Fresno State, students organized a different kind of demonstration, making bracelets printed with the ICE hotline number to report sightings and sharing information about how to become legal observers. Dozens of Valley businesses also participated, with some closing for the day and others donating profits.

  • The nationwide strike took place on January 31, 2026.
  • Earlier this month, Rene Good and Alex Pretti were shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis.

The players

Rene Good

A person who was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Alex Pretti

A person who was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Andrea Vazquez

A representative of the California Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance.

Albee Sanchez

The owner of Frida Cafe in Fresno.

Tom Holyoke

A political science professor at Fresno State.

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What they’re saying

“I'm angry with what's happening in the country. I think we need to be prepared and we need to build that community and build that solidarity before what's happening in. Minneapolis comes here to Central Valley.”

— Student Activist (abc30.com)

“They need to back off and let the Normal justice system work not the corrupt justice system. This is not the American way.”

— Bob Speechly, Protester (abc30.com)

“I think folks are showing up and whatever way they can. I think a lot of it folks are looking for peace folks want protection in their communities and I think part of that is being at risk with ice present.”

— Andrea Vazquez, California Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance (abc30.com)

“The most important thing for us right now to do is you unite and you do not unite with anger unite with common goal.”

— Albee Sanchez, Owner, Frida Cafe (abc30.com)

“It's actually a very old American tradition. It goes back to the revolution. Americans have always had a long history of protesting in fact, protesting is actually guaranteed in our constitution in the first amendment, allowing the people to peacefully assemble.”

— Tom Holyoke, Political Science Professor, Fresno State (abc30.com)

What’s next

Advocacy groups in the Valley are calling for accountability of aggressive raids, racial profiling, and deadly force by immigration enforcement.

The takeaway

The nationwide strike in Fresno and across the country reflects a long-standing American tradition of collective action and protest, as citizens exercise their constitutional right to peacefully assemble and voice opposition to the Trump Administration's immigration policies.