Let’s get this straight: tens of thousands of Minnesotans are marching in Minneapolis against a massive federal immigration enforcement operation called Operation Metro Surge, which has sparked protests across the state after aggressive tactics and even a fatal shooting by an ICE agent.

But somewhere between the federal injunctions and the canceled schools, a different front opened up in Edina — not with chants against federal policy, but in aisle 7, next to the Kosher dill pickles and fine Himalayan sea salt.

At a local Target in Edina, a group of activists brought out their boldest tactic yet: buying bags of salt — and then standing in line to return them. Yes, for real. Salt. The seasoning.

The movement’s slogan? Melting ICE, one return at a time.

“I saw on social media that salt melts ice,” said one protester, presumably after a Google search for “how do you ice a sidewalk” and “can this get me arrested?” “So we thought, let’s symbolically melt federal enforcement.” Others nodded in solemn agreement while clutching receipts and wondering why there wasn’t any kombucha left in the cart.

Meanwhile, Target employees — who had nothing to do with federal enforcement operations but whose names could now be added to a trivia question about why people look exhausted in Edina — watched bewildered as queues formed, courtesy of protesters returning $2.49 bags of sodium chloride.

Observers say the tactic’s strategic brilliance lies in two things:

1. It annoys store staff, which some activists believe is just justice serving itself.
2. It gives protesters something to do while they wait for the economic blackout day protests and legal injunctions to take effect.

When asked, one bemused Target manager declined to comment but was overheard asking if people had to return all the salt before check-out lanes reopened for customers who just wanted socks and clearance candles.

The protest has since spawned copycats nationwide, with rumors circulating that a similar “buy and return ice scrapers” demonstration is planned at Home Depot — because “melt the ICE” clearly works better with tools that actually deal with ice.

Political analysts argue that if this trend continues, future protest manuals will include chapters like:

• Chapter 3: The Art of Opposing Policy Through Household Goods
• Section 4.2: How to Symbolically Protest Without Talking to Anyone
• Appendix A: Salt is Not a Weapon, Karen

The Edina Salt Brigade declined to answer follow-up questions, instead handing out pamphlets titled “Why This Makes Sense: A Deep Dive into Salt and Symbolism.” It was written in Comic Sans.

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Legal Context: This comes amid a major wave of anti-ICE action in Minnesota after widespread enforcement that’s resulted in thousands of arrests, debates over aggressive federal tactics, and injunctions limiting how agents can respond to peaceful demonstrations.

So for now, if you hear someone yelling “RETURN YOUR SALT!” with surprising passion, don’t be alarmed — it’s just protest season in Minnesota, and this year’s flavor is seasoned with sodium.

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