🚫 Target boycott continues

Local organizers who began Target boycott: “It’s not over”

Consumers abstaining from “Tar-zhay” runs may have been confused when a pastor from Georgia, Rev. Jamal Bryant, suddenly announced the end of the boycott last Wednesday. Missing from that initial narrative were the voices of local organizers who launched the national boycott in early 2025. Nekima Levy Armstrong, one of the leaders of the boycott, told City Cast Twin Cities: “ We didn't end this boycott because, of course, Target didn't meet any of the demands.” [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]

• Rewind: At the end of January last year, local activists called for a national boycott when Target reneged on its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs following the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Levy Armstrong, along with activists Monique Cullars-Doty and Jaylani Hussein, called for a boycott outside of the downtown Minneapolis Target. Separately, Bryant, former Ohio Sen. Nina Turner, and activist Tamika Mallory started a 40-day Target fast to coincide with Ash Wednesday. They later called for a “full boycott” when the company failed to meet their demands. [Star Tribune / 19th News]
• “Erasure”: Levy Armstrong is critical of the media coverage that she says has left out Black women and hometown organizing. “ We're dealing with erasure of Black women leadership. We're dealing with someone going to the media, trying to co-opt the narrative and being performative.”
• Sales slump? In an interview with the Associated Press earlier this month, new Target CEO Michael Fiddelke acknowledged that the boycotts have impacted their sales. The company reported another quarter of declining sales. [Associated Press]

Welcome to the stage: Isles Bun and Coffee in Uptown Minneapolis has a new neighbor. Brownstone Jazz Club soft-opened in December, but aims to officially open in spring when they’ve got their liquor license in hand. Owner Johnnie Brown is a veteran performer and wants the club to be a welcoming space for emerging artists. [MSP Mag]

“Ope, drones”: While some residents watched for immigration agents, the sights and sounds of drones above their heads made anxieties worse. Minneapolis council member Aurin Chowdhury says 18 drone sightings have been reported to her office. Jon Collins reports the federal government won’t say whether they’re using drones for surveillance, and local police deny ownership. [MPR]

Nowhere on gun control: The parents of Harper Moyski, who was killed in the Annunciation School shooting, ask in a new op-ed for the Star Tribune: “Does our testimony about our daughter’s death even matter?” In the piece, Jackie Flavin and Mike Moyski take it upon themselves to rebut common arguments against gun control that they heard in the legislative chamber. [Star Tribune]

Sorry, owls: A sad day for Hooters fans (are you out there?). The last Hooters restaurant in Minnesota, situated in the Mall of America, is closing on March 22. Bill Lukitsch reports the chain filed for bankruptcy last year. [Star Tribune]

“It’s unconstitutional”: Madison McVan reports immigration courts seem to be creating a separate docket for Somali nationals to fast-track their removal. Immigration officials deny this, but the president is on the record urging judges to dismiss cases to deport people faster. [Minnesota Reformer]

Monday, Mar 16

• 🍻 Fulton x FINNEGANS St Patrick's Celebration | Fulton Brewing Taproom
• ☀️ Crazy with Luck DIY Sun-Catchers | Tin Shed Tavern
• 🎈 Teen Reads Book Club | Red Balloon Bookshop
• 🆓 Storytelling - Open Mic Mondays | American School of Storytelling
• 🎵 Richard Bona | Dakota Jazz Club
• 🎸 Drug Church and White Reaper | Fine Line
• 🪶 STRANGE HEART: The Dream Songs of John Berryman | Open Eye

Tuesday, Mar 17

• 🎤 Mae Martin: The Possum | Pantages Theatre
• 🧶 Handwoven: Between Chaos and Order | American Swedish Institute
• 🐦 Winter Birding Walk | Theodore Wirth Parkway
• 🎨 Public Tour: Inspired by Books | Minneapolis Institute of Arts
• 🧠 Alzheimer's Education Series | Sabathani Community Center
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Mrs. Doubtfire | Ordway
• 🕵️ Sleuth | Guthrie

• Director of Transportation Planning & Programming at Minneapolis Public Works | $157k - $186k per year
• Creative Services Design Lead at Tangletown Gardens | $55k - $65k per year
• Benefits and Leave Specialist at Guthrie Theater | $25.50 - $27.50 per hour
• Associate Digital Media Buyer at Minnesota Star Tribune | $26.44 - $28.85 per hour
• Deputy Communications Director at MN Department of Children, Youth, and Families Dept | $91k - $132k per year