After another fatal shooting of a civilian by federal law enforcement agents in Minneapolis over the weekend, some organizations are hoping pressure from the employer community can diffuse the ongoing conflict in the city.
CEOs of more than 60 Minnesota-based organizations released a joint statement Sunday, through the state’s Chamber of Commerce, urging “immediate de-escalation of tensions” that have plagued Minneapolis for weeks amid the flood of Immigration & Customs Enforcement actions in the city. Tensions soared in the wake of the Jan. 6 killing of legal observer Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer, with many fearing more escalation after Saturday’s shooting death of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent.
The CEOs took a neutral tone in their letter, referencing how the “recent challenges facing our state have created widespread disruption and tragic loss of life.” But they urged definite action, including better collaboration among local, state and federal officials to find “real solutions.”
The coalition includes some of the state’s largest employers, such as Target, Cargill, 3M, Medtronic, Land O’ Lakes, United Health Group, Delta Dental and General Mills.
While the letter came on the heels of Pretti’s death, it also followed increasing pressure from employees for leadership to take a stand on ICE and the Trump administration’s targeting of Minneapolis.
Organizers of the Jan. 23 “ICE out of Minnesota” action say more than 75,000 residents walked out of work and school—and 700 businesses closed down—to take part in a march calling for the agency to vacate the state. Hundreds of Target workers issued a letter before the protest to the company CEO, urging the organization to take a stance.
Hilton has also found itself under intense scrutiny after one of its Minneapolis-area franchisees cancelled the reservations of a group of ICE officers. The chain severed ties with the property, prompting protests at its locations across Minneapolis and elsewhere.
The growing backlash, including from employees, mirrors the calls for organizations to speak out in the wake of the 2020 murder of George Floyd. That pressure led to significant growth in corporate DEI investments and agendas, much of which has abated in the last few years.
“The message to those most affected was clear: When the news cycle moves on, so do you,” Dr. Marcelle Moncrieffe-Newman recently wrote for HR Executive about DEI rollbacks.
Yet, many workers, particularly Gen Z, expect their employer to be unequivocal about cultural issues, including hot-button political topics.
A survey from Bentley University and Gallup last year found that 51% of Americans want companies to take a public stance on current events—a 13-point jump from 2024. In particular, 41% of those surveyed believe organizations should speak out on immigration, and 58% want to see companies comment on free speech issues—both 10 points higher than the previous year.
In an interview with The New York Times about the Minnesota CEO letter, New York University Professor Alison Taylor said the companies have been “backed into a corner.”
“Because obviously the situation going on is starting to have commercial consequences,” she said, noting, however, that the letter—which does not express outright opposition to ICE or tactics being used in Minneapolis—is likely going to draw criticism. Commentary in Axios has already labeled the effort “milquetoast.”
“Is it better than doing nothing?” Taylor questioned. “Probably. Is it sufficient? I don’t think anyone’s going to think this is sufficient.”
Calling for cooperation
While the CEOs’ open letter struck a neutral tone, it did suggest leaders are involved—albeit in a less visible way—in efforts to reduce the potential for further conflict. They wrote that representatives of the coalition have been working “every day behind the scenes” with local, state and federal officials, including remaining in “close communication” with Minn. Gov. Tim Walz, the White House, Vice President J.D. Vance and local mayors.
“There are ways for us to come together to foster progress,” they wrote, calling for “peace and focused cooperation” among leaders to achieve a “swift and durable solution that enables families, business, our employees and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future.”
