Los Angeles Cultural Institutions Shut Down Operations to Join Nationwide Anti-ICE Protest Movement
Major cultural hubs across Los Angeles, including the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), closed their doors on Friday in solidarity with the “National Shutdown” protests. The coordinated closures were part of a nationwide demonstration against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and recent federal immigration crackdowns. Galleries and museums throughout the city, such as the Fahey/Klein Gallery and Vidiots, joined the strike, canceling regularly scheduled programming to support the “ICE Out of Everywhere” campaign.
The “National Shutdown” movement gained momentum following recent events in Minneapolis, specifically the fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents. What initially began as a local outcry in the Twin Cities regarding the deaths of individuals in ICE custody rapidly expanded into a coast-to-coast call to action. Organizers urged citizens to participate in a general strike—calling for “no work, no school, and no shopping”—to exert economic pressure and demand an end to what they describe as a “racist regime of hate and terror” and the permanent removal of ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from American communities.
While the closures received strong support from activists and arts organizations emphasizing their commitment to social justice, the move has faced objections. Critics of the shutdown argue that closing educational and cultural institutions disrupts the public’s access to art and creates significant inconvenience for tourists and visitors who had planned trips to these landmarks. Furthermore, opponents of the general strike strategy contend that halting economic activity disproportionately impacts hourly workers and local businesses rather than effectively influencing federal policy. Some observers also maintain that publicly funded or non-profit museums should strive to remain apolitical spaces rather than aligning with specific partisan movements.
Despite these criticisms, the protests are continuing through the weekend. The Compton Art and History Museum is hosting a “Proud Origins Walk” on Saturday, and other advocacy groups are organizing “ICE Out” rallies across Southern California. Institutions like LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes stated that pausing operations was necessary to stand with targeted communities, asserting that their mission to uplift Latino history becomes vital during times of intensified enforcement.
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