Mennonites and Christians Protest ICE Presence at Lancaster Target

Over 100 demonstrators sing hymns and disrupt shopping to criticize the retailer's response to ICE activity.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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More than 100 Mennonites and Christians gathered inside a Target store in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, singing hymns and disrupting the day's shopping to protest what they see as the company's role in accommodating Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The demonstrators, operating under the "Mennonite Action" banner, criticized Target for allowing ICE to use its parking lots and the company's muted response to ICE arresting two of its employees in Minnesota despite them being American citizens.

Why it matters

The protest highlights growing tensions between faith-based communities, immigrant rights advocates, and businesses over the role private companies play in enabling or responding to increased ICE enforcement activities. It also reflects the Mennonite community's long history of pacifism and opposition to state violence.

The details

The group of over 100 protesters entered the Target store along Fruitville Pike in Lancaster, singing Christian hymns and chanting before leaving peacefully as police arrived. They criticized Target for allowing ICE to use its parking lots and the company's response to ICE arresting two of its employees in Minnesota, despite the employees being American citizens.

  • The protest took place on February 9, 2026.

The players

Mennonite Action

A group of Mennonites and Christians who organized the protest against Target's perceived accommodation of ICE operations.

Ben Rush

A Mennonite protester who stated the group has a calling to speak out against ICE based on their faith and history.

Target

The retail giant that the protesters criticized for allowing ICE to use its parking lots and for its muted response to ICE arrests of its employees.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that the protesters believe Target has accommodated through its actions and inactions.

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What they’re saying

“We have a calling as Mennonites, with our faith and our history, to speak out against ICE.”

— Ben Rush, Mennonite Protester (fox43.com)

“We also believe that Target has a calling in this time to stand in solidarity with the community of Minnesota that they are a part of.”

— Ben Rush, Mennonite Protester (fox43.com)

What’s next

The protesters said they hope to spread a message of peace and unity tied closely to their faith, though it's unclear if they plan any additional demonstrations against Target or ICE.

The takeaway

This protest reflects the growing tensions between faith-based communities, immigrant rights advocates, and businesses over the role private companies play in enabling or responding to increased ICE enforcement activities. It also highlights the Mennonite community's long history of pacifism and opposition to state violence.