Enterprise Rent-A-Car Faces 'ICE OUT' Protest in Minnesota

A coordinated protest campaign in Minnesota is targeting Enterprise Rent-A-Car locations, urging residents to participate in a disruptive tactic designed to strain the company's operations. The movement, dubbed "ICE OUT Enterprise," alleges the rental giant profits from activities by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The campaign has gained significant traction online, with a viral video showing demonstrators outside a Minnesota Enterprise location. Organizers are encouraging a specific strategy: reserving rental vehicles and then canceling the bookings shortly before pickup, a method they claim will impact vehicle availability for potential government use.

The protest gained momentum after a video posted on TikTok showed a line of demonstrators holding signs outside an Enterprise rental office. The signs read messages like "No cars for ICE" and "Cancel ICE contracts now." As of the latest reports, the video had amassed more than 323,000 views on the platform.

Organizers associated with the Sunrise Movement, a progressive climate and social justice advocacy group, posted on social media outlining the protest's goals. They specifically asked participants to be polite to employees during any interactions.

Enterprise is renting cars to ICE agents and profiting from the violence that agents are bringing to our communities.

The campaign is part of a broader "week of actions" in Minnesota, culminating in a planned "business blackout" on Friday. The movement encourages participants to call Enterprise locations directly to voice their complaints.

The core strategy of the "ICE OUT Enterprise" protest involves a specific operational tactic. Participants are encouraged to reserve rental cars through Enterprise's booking system and then cancel the reservations shortly before the scheduled pickup time. The objective is to create logistical friction and strain vehicle availability.

Reports from the ground confirm that protesters have been active. An employee working the counter at a Saint Paul, Minnesota Enterprise location acknowledged that protesters had been calling the store. However, the employee declined to comment further, citing the company's media policy.

Online comments from participants suggest the calls are being logged as formal complaints. One commenter on Instagram stated, "I've called and told them I was disappointed that they were collaborating with ICE." Another added, "They answered the phone super quickly. I was told a complaint would be logged right away."

Despite the allegations driving the protest, the source material notes that it is currently unclear if Enterprise actually has a contract with ICE. Enterprise did not respond to requests for comment regarding the protest or the allegations.

Enterprise is not the only corporation facing consumer pressure related to immigration enforcement in Minnesota. The state has seen widespread protest against ICE's presence, leading to increased scrutiny of businesses operating within its borders.

Earlier this month, Hilton removed a franchisee from its portfolio after a video surfaced that purported to show a hotel employee refusing to provide rooms to immigration enforcement officers. In a statement, Hilton clarified its corporate policy, noting it aims to make all locations "a welcoming place for all" and does not "discriminate against any individuals or agencies."

Additionally, Minneapolis-based Target has faced accusations from activists claiming the retailer cooperates with immigration officials. Target has denied these claims. In an internal memo, human resources chief Melissa Kremer wrote to employees, "Target does not have cooperative agreements with any immigration enforcement agency."

The protest has sparked reactions across social media platforms beyond TikTok. The campaign has drawn attention from conservative commentators, highlighting the polarized nature of the issue.

Chaya Raichik, who operates the popular Libs of TikTok account on X (formerly Twitter), posted about the protest tactics. Her post, which garnered over 208,000 views, stated: "Anti-ICE leftists are now booking and canceling car reservations at Enterprise to protest them renting cars to ICE."

The viral nature of the video and the subsequent commentary have amplified the visibility of the protest, placing Enterprise at the center of a heated political and social debate regarding corporate responsibility and immigration enforcement.

The "ICE OUT Enterprise" campaign represents a modern form of consumer activism, utilizing digital tools and coordinated actions to pressure corporations. As the planned "business blackout" approaches, the focus remains on how Enterprise will respond to the growing calls for transparency regarding its client relationships.

With approximately two dozen locations in the Twin Cities alone, Enterprise continues to face calls from Minnesota-based protestors. The situation underscores the increasing intersection of corporate operations and political activism in the current social climate.