SEOBLOGREEN - The vow was simple. It was printed on signs. It was shared across social media. Modern Times, the now-famous brewery, made a powerful promise in Minneapolis. They would remain "free" as long as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) maintained a presence there. This was more than a marketing slogan. It was a stand. It was a statement of moral clarity. This pledge immediately drew attention. It forced a conversation. Was a business allowed to be this political?
The Standoff at Fort Snelling
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| Photo From Pixabay |
The issue centered around a specific location. The ICE field office operates near Fort Snelling. This is not a hidden place. It is a symbol of federal power within the community. For many immigrant families, this building represents fear. It means uncertainty. It means the possibility of separation. The brewery felt this tension deeply.
Minneapolis is a city built on diverse communities. It prides itself on openness. The presence of a significant deportation force contradicted that local ethos. Modern Times decided it could not simply be neutral. Neutrality, they believed, was complicity. They chose to activate their space. They chose to use their voice. They chose a side in a deeply complex national debate. Their commitment was not abstract. It was specific to their city and their time.
More Than Just Beer
Modern Times was already a brand known for its progressive culture. They focused on good employment practices. They championed sustainable production. But this action took their ethical stance to a new level. It defined their business mission. The "free" vow was tangible.
It meant actively supporting legal aid funds. It meant hosting community organizing events. It meant ensuring their employees were protected and aware of their rights. The brewery became a sanctuary in practice. It was a safe zone. It was a place where people fighting for immigrant justice could meet. They were transforming a commercial space into a civic asset.
This wasn't about selling more hazy IPAs. It was about defining their purpose. They believed a business has a responsibility beyond profit. It must serve its community. It must uphold its values. This radical transparency was the foundation of their success and their risk. They understood the gravity of challenging a federal agency. They were prepared for the backlash.
The Business of Belief
Taking such a public position is always a gamble for any company. Boycotts started immediately. People on one side celebrated their bravery. People on the other side condemned the politics. The debate was loud. It was sharp. The owners did not waver. They calculated that their long-term integrity was more valuable than short-term sales spikes.
They defined "free" as operational independence. They would not share information. They would not cooperate with enforcement activities. They sent a clear signal to both the community and the government: they stood with the vulnerable. This local pledge had national resonance. It sparked similar conversations in other cities. It asked other business owners to look inward. What were they truly willing to sacrifice for their beliefs?
A Community Responds
The overwhelming response from the local community was solidarity. The taproom became a pilgrimage site. Customers were not just buying a drink. They were casting a vote. They were supporting a movement. The local economy was being leveraged for social change. Modern Times provided a focal point for resistance. It provided crucial resources.
This action demonstrated the power of the local platform. A small business, amplified by conviction, became a potent force. It changed the narrative. It made the ICE presence in Minneapolis impossible to ignore. It forced local media and national outlets to cover the story.
The commitment remains part of the company's legacy. As long as the Fort Snelling field office remains active, the spirit of the Modern Times vow persists. It is a reminder that commerce and conscience can, and sometimes must, intersect. Their story is a powerful lesson. It shows that courage is a commodity more valuable than craft beer. It defines what true freedom means when the community needs protection.
Source: mprnews.org
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