Several thousand protesters in Tucson joined with those across the U.S. calling for “no work, no school, no shopping” as part of a nationwide strike on Friday to oppose the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
After separate protests by educators and students at Catalina Park and by University of Arizona students and staff on campus, about 6,000 Tucsonans ultimately gathered together downtown.
The demonstrations are taking place amid widespread outrage over the killing Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse who was shot multiple times after he used his cellphone to record Border Patrol officers conducting an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. The death heightened scrutiny over the administration’s tactics after the Jan. 7 death of Renee Good, who was fatally shot behind the wheel of her vehicle by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.
At the downtown Tucson protest, Karen Herrera teared up as she spoke about some of the experiences of immigrant communities in Minneapolis. “I feel sad,” she said. “It’s really hard to watch what’s happening.”
As an immigrant from El Salvador, Herrera knew her parents had not wanted to leave their home, and had done so in part because of the destabilization of the country’s government by the United States.
Now she considers America home, and believes it can treat immigrants better. “I still believe that America or the United States is a great country, and what we’re having right now is not great. I hold on to hope that things change.”
The first step, she said, is to stop the aggressive immigration enforcement seen in Minneapolis.
“I hope that our government is paying attention to the cities across the United States,” she said, and “how unhappy we all are with what’s happening.”
More than 50 businesses across Pima County announced they would be closed in solidarity with the protest Friday including Presta Coffee, Arizona Poppy and Slow Body. Others like Bar Crisol said they would only open for a few hours as a community gathering space and not take payment for coffee.
Tucson’s largest school district canceled classes at 21 TUSD schools ahead of mass staff absences. About 12,000 students were absent from the district Friday as well. Many of those teachers and students marched into downtown Tucson. Some schools in Colorado and other states did too.
Orlando Arenas is a graphic artist and community organizer who was making free signs at the rally of Tucson educators at Catalina Park.
“The lesson is ICE needs to disband. It’s a danger to migrants and it is a danger to Americans. The technologies they are using to track immigrants — it was used on Palestinians.”
TUSD closes 21 schools Friday as staff absent, protesting ICE
At least 20 Tucson Unified School District schools, including Tucson, Sahuaro, Pueblo, Palo Verde and… Keep reading
“It’s about how we are protecting our community”: Lessons from anti-ICE education rally at Catalina Park
Hours before local educators rallied against immigration enforcement violence Friday, dozens met on the Catalina… Keep reading
Sandra Bradley came out to Friday’s march because she loves Tucson and its diverse culture, and wants to make sure its people are protected. “I want to know I care about them,” said Bradley. “I want them to know that the people of Tucson are not going to sit by and let them get abducted. I can only imagine what it must be like for them daily.”
She had been to a few No Kings protests in recent months, and gotten involved with a group called the Party for Socialism and Liberation that has been going door to door to share know-your-rights information with immigrant communities.
Framing Friday’s action as a boycott felt right to her for ongoing organizing. “I definitely think the next step is really to hit corporate interests,” she said. “One of the biggest impacts we have is with our pocketbook.”
Thousands of people showed up to protest ICE in downtown Tucson on Jan. 30, 2026. Credit: Michael McKisson 
Thousands of people showed up to protest ICE in downtown Tucson on Jan. 30, 2026. Credit: Michael McKisson 
Thousands of people showed up to protest ICE in downtown Tucson on Jan. 30, 2026. Credit: Michael McKisson 
Thousands of people showed up to protest ICE in downtown Tucson on Jan. 30, 2026. Credit: Michael McKisson 
Thousands of people showed up to protest ICE at the Tucson Shutdown Protest on Jan. 30, 2026. Credit: Michael McKisson 
A group of educators marched from Catalina Park to downtown Tucson on Jan. 30, 2026. Credit: Michael McKisson Tucson Mayor Regina Romero participated in a protest against immigration enforcement actions on Jan. 30, 2026. Credit: Michael McKisson 
Thousands of people showed up to protest ICE violence in downtown Tucson on Jan. 30, 2026. Credit: Michael McKisson 
Two police officers look on while thousands of Tucsonans participated in a protest on Jan. 30, 2026. Credit: Michael McKisson 
A protestor marches down Congress in downtown Tucson on Jan. 30, 2026. Credit: Michael McKisson 
A group of educators marched from Catalina Park to downtown Tucson on Jan. 30, 2026. Credit: Michael McKisson 
A protestor listens to speakers in downtown Tucson on Jan. 30, 2026. Credit: Michael McKisson 
Protestors listen to speakers at in downtown Tucson on Jan. 30, 2026. Credit: Michael McKisson 
María Cooperstein, member of the Students for Socialism group at the University of Arizona, speaks to students, staff and faculty about the recent events involving ICE agents on Jan 30. Credit: Alma Velazquez 
“No ICE” sign at the University of Arizona on Jan. 30. Credit: Alma Velazquez 
People gather at the University of Arizona mall and prepare for a walkout to begin on Jan. 30. Credit: Alma Velazquez 
María Cooperstein (left) and Audrey Zelinka (right), both members of the Students for Socialism group at UA wait for the walkout to start on Jan. 30. This school-wide walkout was organized by more than 10 different groups and organizations on campus. Credit: Alma Velazquez 
Security volunteers meet at the UA mall stage on Jan. 30 before a walkout to talk about a safety plan at the University of Arizona. Credit: Alma Velazquez 
Presta Coffee Roasters on Ninth Street was closed Friday, Jan. 30 in solidarity with a national shutdown. Credit: Yana Kunichoff
Includes reporting from the Associated Press
Republish our articles for free, online or in print.
