Minneapolis yoga studio faces backlash as members demand action on anti-ICE protest, sparks heated confrontation and social media debate

A routine Sunday yoga class in Minneapolis quickly turned tense after a group of students confronted staff over the removal of an anti-ICE protest sign. A video that has since gone viral shows around a dozen patrons gathering in the studio lobby, demanding explanations from employees about why the company had not publicly opposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the city.



Longtime member Heather Anderson appears at the forefront of the confrontation, repeatedly pressing staff for answers. “Give us answers… why are you being silent?” she insists, while urging employees to speak “loud and proud.” Other members voiced their support, with tensions rising as the staff tried to respond. At one point, a staff member remarked, “We’re being berated right now,” prompting a patron to reply, “You’re not being berated, you’re being asked hard questions.”



The staff involved were identified by the studio as a regional director and a manager rather than corporate executives. Both appeared visibly uncomfortable as students pressed them about whether the removed signage would be reinstated.



CorePower Yoga later issued a statement clarifying that the original anti-ICE sign had been replaced with standardised signage used across its studios. The company emphasised that law enforcement or ICE officials may only enter with a valid judicial warrant, and reiterated that it does not condone violent raids. It stressed that its spaces are intended to be safe and welcoming for all patrons.

Following the incident, memberships for those present were temporarily paused. Most members were reinstated after individual discussions, but Heather Anderson’s membership was permanently terminated. In remarks to the New York Post, Anderson defended her actions and expressed no regret, framing her approach as a call for accountability.



The episode comes amid growing tensions in Minneapolis, where anti-ICE demonstrations have intensified in recent weeks. Federal authorities have since announced a reduction in ICE personnel in Minnesota, while investigations continue into other protest-related incidents.



The viral footage has sparked widespread debate over activism, corporate responsibility, and the limits of protest within private businesses. Online reactions were divided: some applauded the students for holding the studio accountable, while others argued that employees should not be pressured into taking public political positions.



Ultimately, the incident highlights the delicate balance businesses must strike in a politically charged environment. In an era where social media amplifies every action, even routine decisions can trigger national conversations. The Minneapolis yoga studio confrontation serves as a stark reminder that private spaces are increasingly becoming stages for public debate, and that silence or neutrality is rarely left unchallenged.