Episcopal clergy travel to Minneapolis to march in ‘ICE Out of Minnesota’ day of action; Episcopal News Service, January 23, 2026

David Paulsen, Episcopal News Service; Episcopal clergy travel to Minneapolis to march in ‘ICE Out of Minnesota’ day of action

"Episcopal clergy and lay leaders are among the hundreds of people of faith from across the United States who have traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota, for a day of public witness and political action on Jan. 23 in opposition to what they are calling an “occupation” of the city by federal immigration authorities.

The “ICE Out of Minnesota” day of action, organized by local advocacy groups and community partners, called for a daylong “unified statewide pause in daily economic activity,” as they urged businesses to close for the day, families to keep students home from school and employees to refuse to work (except emergency services).

Organizers scheduled an afternoon protest march in downtown Minneapolis as the day’s focal point, to demand that Immigration and Customs Enforcement leave the city and to call for justice for Renee Good, the 37-year-old resident who was shot and killed by ICE two weeks ago.

Minnesota’s Episcopal diocese invited members who were able to brave the day’s subzero temperatures to join Bishop Craig Loya and other clergy at the protest march. Other Episcopal leaders from outside the diocese have traveled to Minneapolis to show their support, including Washington Bishop Mariann Budde and Iowa Bishop Betsey Monnot.

“The response from clergy around the country, interfaith clergy, has been overwhelming,” Loya told Episcopal News Service in a phone interview on the eve of the day of action. He said event organizers were expecting 300 visitors and ended up confirming more than twice that number, with hundreds more expressing interest...

Episcopal congregations are joining a variety of efforts to assist residents who can’t leave their homes because they are afraid that ICE will arrest and detain them or their children. Neighborhood networks have mobilized, for example, to deliver groceries and other supplies to people at home and to accompany people to medical appointments and to schools.

Despite the cruelty carried out by federal authorities, Loya said he has been heartened by what he has witnessed of neighbors helping neighbors. That is “something much more powerful,” he said, “when people come together to love one another.”"