Owner Alissa Redmond of the South Main Book Company in Salisbury has initiated a strike in response to recent violence involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. The bookstore will remain closed until further notice, as Redmond seeks to raise awareness about the implications of such actions on both local communities and national sentiments.
The strike was announced via social media on January 25, 2024, following the killing of Alex Pretti by ICE officers in Minneapolis on January 24. Redmond expressed her feelings of urgency and discomfort regarding the current climate in the United States, stating, “I refuse to act like this moment is normal.” She emphasized that the recent events had compelled her to take a stand.
Business Operations Amid the Strike
During the strike, Redmond continues to pay her employees who request wages, reflecting her commitment to her staff despite the closure. She plans to participate in the upcoming Wine About Winter event on February 6 and will fulfill any outstanding orders. However, she has halted credit card transactions and inventory orders until the strike concludes.
“I don’t want to support larger corporations. I don’t want to support commerce in the traditional sense right now,” Redmond explained, highlighting her desire to refrain from normal business practices amidst what she perceives as a significant societal issue. She has also limited postal service shipments and other commercial commitments during this period.
Redmond’s decision to strike is unprecedented for her business. In the past, she chose to remain open during times of civil unrest, such as following the death of George Floyd in 2020. She acknowledged that her previous approach was influenced by her awareness of her own privilege, stating, “As a white person, I inherently knew that I was protected from most state violence then.”
Community Concerns and Future Plans
In her statements, Redmond expressed deep concern over the broader implications of ICE actions and the rule of law in the United States, particularly in light of both Pretti’s death and the death of Renee Good. She conveyed that the current environment does not allow for normal business operations, saying, “I can’t come in here every day and keep doing the normal things that I’ve been doing.”
Redmond, who is also a candidate for county commissioner in the upcoming election, voiced her worries about raising her family in the current climate. She noted, “I need to make some changes for myself to feel comfortable staying here or I need to start thinking about divesting and going to a different country where I feel like I can conduct business in a normal fashion.”
While Redmond is not soliciting financial support during her strike, she plans to donate any proceeds from sales at future events to local nonprofits, reinforcing her commitment to the community.
As of now, no timeline has been established for when the South Main Book Company will reopen. Redmond aims to use her platform to foster awareness of the societal issues at play, urging others to recognize that society is not functioning under normal circumstances.
