Birmingham Bookstore Supports Immigrant Rights Amid Protests

A Birmingham bookstore has taken a stand against federal immigration enforcement by pledging a portion of its sales to support immigrant rights. From January 25 to January 31, 2025, Thank You Books will donate 10% of its sales to the Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama (¡HICA!). This initiative coincides with widespread protests in Minneapolis against the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In a social media post, Thank You Books expressed solidarity with demonstrators in Minnesota, stating, “We stand in solidarity with the people and businesses of Minnesota and are horrified by the actions of ICE.” The bookstore’s message included a photograph from the recent “ICE Out” protests, where thousands gathered in Minneapolis and St. Paul to voice their concerns over immigration enforcement practices.

The protests gained momentum following the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse who was shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis. Reports indicate that cellphone footage contradicts official statements from the Department of Homeland Security and former President Donald Trump. While the authorities claimed that Pretti posed a threat, the video shows him holding a phone, not a weapon, at the time of the encounter.

Pretti’s death has intensified scrutiny of ICE, particularly in the wake of the January 7 death of Renee Good, who was shot in the head by an ICE officer. This month alone, at least six immigrants have died while in federal detention centers. According to a report by the Guardian, 32 individuals died in ICE custody in 2024, marking it as one of the deadliest years for ICE-related deaths in two decades.

In response to the escalating tensions, hundreds of businesses in Minneapolis participated in an economic blackout on Friday, closing their doors during one of the slowest times of the year to protest ICE actions. Some establishments remained open, offering food and warmth to demonstrators braving freezing temperatures at the protests.

Organizers of the protests articulated their demands clearly: “It is time to suspend the normal order of business to demand immediate cessation of ICE actions in Minnesota, accountability for federal agents who have caused loss of life and abuse to Minnesota residents, and to call for Congress to intervene.”

As the protests continue, the actions of Thank You Books highlight a growing movement among businesses to support immigrant rights and challenge federal immigration policies. The store’s commitment to donate a portion of its sales signifies a broader solidarity with those advocating for justice and accountability in immigration enforcement.