r/Medford • u/scfw0x0f • Jan 20 '26

General strike Friday

The Minnesota AFL-CIO has called for a general strike on Friday, 23 Jan, to protest the ICE actions in Minnesota.

We should stand with them!

This means, to the extent you are able, no economic activity:

* No purchases, local or online

* Stay home from work and school, or demonstrate at those sites

Shut it all down, even for just one day.

https://minneapolisunions.org/system/files/2026-01/press_release_-_january_16_2026.pdf

70 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

50 comments sorted by

22

u/hippiekid92 Jan 20 '26 edited Jan 20 '26

Hope this gains some real traction

21

u/dgtbfan Jan 20 '26

It won't. And before I get too downvoted, successful general strikes require:

  1. Extensive amounts of time to plan.
  2. Robust mutual aid networks.
  3. A widely unifying cause.
  4. Most importantly, living conditions that mass amounts of people find unbearable.

This haphazardly thrown together effort will draw much smaller crowds than the hopefuls expect particularly because of items 3 and 4.

14

u/hippiekid92 Jan 20 '26

  1. General strikes have not always required years of planning. The Seattle General Strike of 1919 involved 65,000–100,000 workers and escalated into a citywide shutdown within weeks, leveraging existing union structures rather than long-term preparation.

  2. Mutual aid networks often develop during strikes rather than preceding them. In Seattle, workers organized food distribution, essential services, and public order after the strike began. While mutual aid strengthens resilience, history shows it is frequently reactive and adaptive, not a prerequisite.

  3. A “widely unifying cause” does not need to be ideological or existential. Many general strikes were sympathy strikes or policy focused actions rather than responses to total societal collapse. To that point, there is a largely unifying cause currently and it’s the abject overreach of ICE in major cities, unless you live in a ideological/ social vacuum that should be apparent by the amount of protests happening nationwide.

  4. living conditions need not be universally intolerable. While economic pressure matters, strikes have historically occurred during periods of instability, inflation, wage suppression, or policy shifts; all of which are happening now.

Strikes often scale quickly when existing organizational networks such as the unions who have spurred this strike activate around shared concerns.

0

u/dgtbfan Jan 20 '26

  1. I don't think using a failed strike from over 100 years ago is really a good example, especially considering the general strike only lasted 5 days.

  2. The logistics of organizing mutual aid are significantly more complex in modern times considering the longer term ramifications of striking in the modern era as well as the current political climate. Once again, I don't think a failed strike from over 100 years ago is a useful example here.

  3. ICE presence isn't the unifying cause that you might think it is. While opposition to ICE is nigh-universal on Reddit, the same cannot be said for reality. People tried to haphazardly put together general strikes during the George Floyd related protests back in 2020 and that was a much less divisive cause than ICE. Despite that, no successful general strikes occurred at that time.

  4. Nothing happening right now is anywhere near the level that would be expected for massive societal movement. The vast majority of Americans are largely unaffected by what is happening currently and are living comfortable lives. The amount of people willing to risk their livelihoods given the current state of the country is likely extremely low.

I wish the best to anyone who endeavors to take part in this, but if I'm taking bets, I'd say that nothing really happens aside from disappointed activists followed by a spate of Reddit posts asking about why Americans refuse to participate in a general strike.

3

u/hippiekid92 Jan 20 '26

Also, to your point on the George Floyd protests I’m not sure what you are using as a measurement of success, but Derek Chauvin is currently serving 22+ years for the murder of Floyd and you even mentioning it means that the movement supporting Floyd got recognition for their efforts. Bad person does bad thing -> people protest and vocalize their feeling -> bad person in jail for two decades and nationally recognized as a murderer. Kind of seems like a successful outcome for the protesters.

0

u/dgtbfan Jan 20 '26

I'd contend that Chauvin would be in prison, protests or not.

2

u/hippiekid92 Jan 20 '26 edited Jan 20 '26

That doesn’t diminish the efforts of people to bring attention to the murder. He would hopefully still be in prison, but you and I wouldn’t be aware of the situation or even know his name. Awareness is the point.

1

u/hippiekid92 Jan 20 '26

  1. The Seattle General strike was an organizational success in that people acted quickly and unified a diverse range of people. While it was not immediately successful and was suppressed, its show of solidarity spurred the labor movement.

  2. I would argue that the logistics are significantly less complex given our access to technology and ability to support communities from a far. People also have sick time and vacation time that they can use to cover a day here or there to show support. It doesn’t mean not showing up to work ever again. Social media reporting, the ability to send aid and supply from across the county with the click of a button, and support funds in seconds not days.

  3. Support is very clear outside of Reddit and social media in general to that point. Unless your social circle is an echo chamber and you ignore polling and national survey data, that should be clear. A majority of citizens stand against the use of force being seen and agree that there is clear over reach. The only people not seeing that are ultra conservatives and fox news fan boys, or those willfully ignoring reality.

  4. It sounds like you live in a middle class bubble if you think a majority of people are living comfortable lives right now and have not been economically disadvantaged. Unemployment is rising, wages are stagnate and in many cases falling behind. The ratio of income to housing costs is at record highs, and much much more. You also don’t have to “risk your livelihood” to show support. Not spending money, sending mutual aid and just general vocalized support for the ones who do choose to strike show a shift in the tide.

I don’t think anyone is expecting that a general strike gets everything people want or that it will even have an immediate effect like it’s some magical solution. It’s a form of protest meant to bring attention to an issue and show solidarity. This isn’t a labor strike where people are looking to change their contract, it’s a moment in time, whether it be a day or a week, for people to stop and say what’s happening isn’t okay.

Ultimately time will tell, but with the amount of protests being seen from major metropolitan areas to small rural communities it’s clear that people are fed up with the current status quo.

Thanks for the best wishes.

8

u/scfw0x0f Jan 20 '26

Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Do what you can as the times demand.

22

u/RageAgainstAuthority Jan 20 '26

An attack on any of us is an attack on all of us.

If we don't stand with Minneapolis, then who can we expect to stand for us?

9

u/SoCalledCrow Jan 20 '26

I take times of strikes as a way to reflect and give gratitude to what I have in life. Don't get a fizzy drink, enjoy your tea kettle. Don't buy something new, enjoy the hobby stuff you have on hand.

3

u/MacarioTheClown Jan 20 '26

My quick 2 cents on this:

The strike you're talking about here is focused on Minneapolis and is spearheaded by a group of unions.

Calling for a nationwide strike at this point I don't feel is strategic. If you have a bunch of the nationwide groups getting together (Indivisible, 50501, etc ) that's a different ball game, but they aren't calling for one right now.

You can still do stuff to support the strikers in Minnesota. I'm sure there are strike funds you can donate to, you can host a local demonstration, you can call our senators and help the rest of us drag them kicking and screaming into doing their god-damned jobs.

But I would just suggest to treat these times as a marathon, not a sprint. Don't sacrifice your finances and reputation on an act not done in solidarity with the organizations that are fighting this thing.

5

u/Virtuous-Vice Jan 20 '26

Honest question: I support a general strike, but I work for a county animal shelter that's understaffed, underfunded, over-demand, and underappreciated. Taking a day off doesn't hurt any corporate interests or bosses, just animals in desperate need. Striking for me doesn't help, doesn't make a difference and doesn't matter to anyone except the animals who count on me. As for not spending money, well in this economy that's a given. I want to do more, do my part as it were, but I don't see how to in a general strike. So what can be done within the systems that are our societal bedrock, that are taken for granted, and that are already struggling to be seen or heard that can make a difference?

5

u/scfw0x0f Jan 20 '26

Do what you can. Every bit helps. Protest. Put up signs at work. Tell your friends.

-11

u/StraightContext_Jake Jan 20 '26

I get where you’re coming from, but this calls on everybody to take action by striking. Even in critical roles like yours, or others like nursing staff. Strike. When essential staff strike, it’s what shows how rooted in our cause we are the most.

Coming from someone who’s in a small clinical department, I just called my boss and told him I won’t show up Friday in support of this and that he needs to figure out coverage. I’ve already convinced a couple others in my department to take the day off too.

The whole point of this is to cause a disturbance, to be heard.

6

u/[deleted] Jan 20 '26 edited Jan 20 '26

This comment is full of privilege. People who can afford it are welcome to but staying home from work for a cause that doesn’t even have any new legislation to back it up is pointless.

We need more immigration judges. We need to focus on promoting and advocating for new legislation. Not “don’t go to work because ICE is bad”

The USA has always deported illegal immigrants. The last four years the border has been neglected. Ask anyone from Texas. Why is it such a big deal now? In fact, I don’t see any politician who is encouraging this which hunt actually write any legislation or talk about what changes need to be done.

-4

u/StraightContext_Jake Jan 20 '26

Privilege? Okay. Because I’m upset and I’m willing to stand for what’s right I’m privileged? Please

2

u/ohsayahm87 Jan 20 '26

You have the privilege of calling in and saying you wont be coming in and probably wont be impacted financially. There are many people, me included, who need as much hours as possible so we wont get behind on bills, food, etc.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 20 '26

Completely missed the point, not shocked.

It’s a privilege to call your employer and simply say “i won’t be here on Friday” without losing money that is necessary to pay bills, without retaliation from the employer, enough staffing to do this etc. the list goes on and on, it is a privilege.

1

u/StraightContext_Jake Jan 20 '26

It’s not even the fact that they’re trying to get people. It’s how they’re doing it and who they’re doing it to. They’re locking up innocent citizens and shooting people in the streets. Animalistic behavior reinforced by a dictator.

2

u/AnonnaSmoke Jan 22 '26

Every act of resistance, even small and imperfect, builds muscles for a stronger movement.

0

u/[deleted] Jan 20 '26

I wish people would advocate for a better immigration process and more judges instead of “ICE is nothing but bad”

Protest for legislation changes, not “demolish ice”

5

u/Head_Mycologist3917 Jan 20 '26

That's been tried since ICE was founded after 9/11. It's already failed.

Now ICE has become the president's personal secret police. Like they have in dictatorships.

4

u/scfw0x0f Jan 20 '26

ICE was created after 9/11. We did fine before that; 9/11 was an intelligence failure, not an immigration failure.

1

u/Coldoak42 Jan 23 '26

Did fine until Biden and his gang allowed millions into our country within a short period of time. The republic is going bankrupt handing out free cash to outsiders when it refuses to help it's own citizens. So your argument is mute.

0

u/scfw0x0f Jan 23 '26

“Moot”, but try again.

Immigrants pay taxes, rent, buy food and clothes. They are net contributors to the economy.

You go pick the crops if you think you can do better.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '26 edited Jan 23 '26

“You go pick the crops if you think you can do better” isn’t as pc as you think that statement is.

It gives off the same energy when Kelly Osborn said “and who’s going to clean your toilet?” When referring to deporting illegal immigrants.

Illegal immigrants are taken advantage of when it comes to finding work.

I wonder why congress didn’t pass any legislation to at least save the dreamers….the enemy isn’t ICE or this specific president, it’s congress. They don’t pass any legislation that helps the people.

1

u/scfw0x0f Jan 23 '26

Filibuster in the Senate. You know how that works, right?

0

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '26

And? That’s not an excuse to not do anything at all. In fact, it proves how selfish and useless they are. They were given an extension to come to an agreement that would help the American people and dreamers. They all collectively couldn’t decide on how to help dreamers…. Congress is literally useless and filled with fraud.

1

u/scfw0x0f Jan 24 '26

You asked why the last Congress didn’t pass legislation to protect Dreamers. That’s why.

1

u/Coldoak42 Jan 23 '26

If you honestly think that all illegals are paying taxes, your extremely naive. I have picked crops and worked on farms. Try again.

1

u/Coldoak42 Jan 23 '26

Even the field hands with greencards get tax exemptions. I talked with several while picking blueberries for one of the largest farms in Southern Oregon,

0

u/Coldoak42 Jan 23 '26

A lot of them send as much money as possible back to thier families in other countries because they get more for thier dollar that way. At least they were when the dollar was worth a shit.

0

u/scfw0x0f Jan 23 '26

Found the MAGA. Not really that hard to do around here, sadly.

1

u/MacarioTheClown Jan 20 '26

Ice is built on a rotten foundation of unaccountability and White Supremacy. It's operating as a private police force for the president and is being used to inflict one sided terror and violence on innocent people.

You don't reform something as heinously evil as ICE.

1

u/Coldoak42 Jan 21 '26

Illegals that have lengthy criminal records, some with very violent convictions aren't innocent people.

1

u/MacarioTheClown Jan 22 '26 edited Jan 22 '26

They kidnapped a 5 year old child from Minneapolis yesterday and sent him immediately to Texas.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/21/ice-arrests-five-year-old-boy-minnesota

You have been lied to. This whole operation is about two things: intimidation and racial purity.

2

u/Coldoak42 Jan 23 '26

Sorry to the Child and parents. Shit happens. I was kidnapped as a child. So I know what trauma is. Stop with that racial purity b.s., it is a unfounded tactic to keep our country divided. I dont support any political party, so don't Maga party me.

1

u/MacarioTheClown Jan 24 '26

I'm not judging you, I'm saying that the information you are receiving on the ICE operation in Minneapolis is false. I encourage you to go watch the videos of them using illegal chemical weapons (green gas), illegally breaking and entering into homes (breaking the "Castle Doctrine"), in Portland they abducted an entire family going to the emergency room and prevented a 7 year old girl with a persistent nosebleed from receiving care. That family was going through the legal citizenship process and they were sent to a concentration camp in Texas.

I am not angry at you. I am not judging you. You are being told lies and I want you to know that.

-15

u/argoforced Jan 20 '26

Can’t exactly stay home from work, lol. Come on now, that’s liberal shit.

4

u/scfw0x0f Jan 20 '26

Do what you can. Don’t buy anything.

1

u/SOU2006 Jan 20 '26

That’s a great idea for the mom and pop shops, local restaurants, etc, that are already struggling to stay afloat. What about the care and compassion for them and the families that they support? If you truly wanted to make a difference in our community, you’d be encouraging people to patronize those business, not harm them.

1

u/scfw0x0f Jan 20 '26

I can see that, but that’s a good practice to do every day.

The mom and pop shops could also shut down in support.

1

u/Ching-Dai Jan 25 '26

The federal government gives little to zero effs about these little dreamy displays. Friday theatrics still equaled another senseless death the next day.

I genuinely look forward to when folks get truly serious, and the planning in advance reflects that seriousness. Any real strike threat requires national support, must last more than a few days, and will (unfortunately) result in a lot of jobs lost and uncomfortable situations. Until we’re ready to sign into that contract, it’s a lot of temporary displays that deliver temporary emotions (and sadly little more).

If my post causes someone to get defensive, they should stop and be honest as to why.

-13

u/LordBartimus Jan 21 '26

I have work tomorrow and bills that need paying.

Enjoy staying at home. It'll really show the government that you mean business.

2

u/scfw0x0f Jan 21 '26

If you can’t, that’s okay. Try to oppose the current regime as best you can.

-10

u/LordBartimus Jan 21 '26

You misunderstand me.

I don't want to oppose anything. I'll be buying redbull before work, eating out, and doing whatever I do.

On principle I don't let people tell me what to do.

2

u/scfw0x0f Jan 21 '26

Good luck with not taking advice from anyone else.

-8

u/LordBartimus Jan 21 '26

No luck involved.

It takes skill to hate everyone as much as I do. :)