Omaha Businesses Close for Nationwide General Strike

Owners protest federal immigration enforcement actions, including recent killings by ICE agents.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 10:15pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Multiple Omaha businesses, including Sheelytown Market in the city's Little Italy neighborhood, are closing on Friday to participate in a nationwide general strike against federal immigration enforcement actions. The strike mirrors a similar action that took place in Minnesota on January 23. Amelia Rosser, the owner of Sheelytown Market, said the decision to close was easy after the recent killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minnesota.

Why it matters

The nationwide strike aims to raise visibility and protest the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) across the country, which some business owners say they no longer recognize or support. While the economic impact may be mostly symbolic, the business owners view this as an important opportunity to use their platforms to stand up against what they see as unjust federal policies.

The details

More than 10 small businesses in Omaha have posted on social media that they will be closed on Friday in solidarity with the nationwide general strike. Creighton University Professor of Economics Ernie Goss said the impact of the strike is mostly symbolic, raising visibility rather than having a major economic impact.

  • The nationwide general strike is taking place on Friday, January 30, 2026.
  • A similar strike occurred in Minnesota on January 23, 2026.

The players

Amelia Rosser

The owner of Sheelytown Market in Omaha's Little Italy neighborhood, who is closing her business on Friday to participate in the nationwide general strike.

Renee Good

An individual killed by federal immigration enforcement agents in Minnesota, which prompted Rosser's decision to close her business in protest.

Alex Pretti

An individual killed by federal immigration enforcement agents in Minnesota, which prompted Rosser's decision to close her business in protest.

Ernie Goss

A Creighton University Professor of Economics who commented on the mostly symbolic impact of the strike.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We do not support what is starting to happen in our country, I do not recognize the country that I am currently existing in.”

— Amelia Rosser, Owner, Sheelytown Market

“If we don't stand up and use our voices and our platform now, it may be too late later.”

— Amelia Rosser, Owner, Sheelytown Market

“I think it raises the visibility certainly but that is more of, not an economic situation, not an economic happening, more political, more social.”

— Ernie Goss, Professor of Economics, Creighton University

What’s next

The impact and effectiveness of the nationwide general strike on Friday will likely be a topic of continued discussion and analysis in the days and weeks following the event.

The takeaway

This strike highlights the growing concerns among some business owners and community members about federal immigration enforcement actions, and their willingness to use their platforms and businesses to take a stand against policies they view as unjust.