Watch: Minneapolis yoga studio students confront staff over anti-ICE protest sign removal

A heated confrontation at a Minneapolis yoga studio has gone viral after a group of students confronted staff over the removal of an anti-ICE protest sign from the premises.In a video shared on TikTok, around a dozen patrons are seen gathering in the studio lobby after a Sunday class, demanding answers from two female staff members. The exchange was led by longtime member Heather Anderson, who repeatedly pressed employees to explain why the company had not publicly condemned Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the city.

“Give us answers… why are you being silent?” Anderson is heard saying in the clip, raising her voice as other customers voiced support. At one point, she urged a staff member to respond “loud and proud,” while accusing the company of failing to take a clear stand.

The staffers, identified by the company as a studio manager and a regional director — not corporate executives, appeared visibly uncomfortable during the exchange. One employee told the group, “We’re being berated right now,” a remark that further inflamed tensions.“You’re not being berated, you’re being asked hard questions,” a patron responded, as others demanded to know whether the removed sign would be restored.




In a statement, CorePower Yoga confirmed that the original anti-ICE sign had been replaced with standardized signage used across its studios, clarifying that law enforcement or ICE officials may only enter with a valid judicial warrant. The company said it does not condone “violent ICE raids” and emphasized that its studios are intended to be safe and welcoming spaces.

Following the incident, memberships of attendees present during the confrontation were temporarily paused as a precaution. The company later reinstated more than half after individual discussions, while Anderson’s membership was fully terminated.

Anderson defended her actions in remarks to the New York Post, saying she did not regret how she handled the situation.

The episode comes amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis, where anti-ICE protests have intensified in recent weeks. Federal authorities have since announced a reduction in ICE personnel in Minnesota, even as investigations continue into separate protest-related incidents.

The viral video has sparked debate online over activism, corporate responsibility, and the boundaries of protest inside private businesses.