01/29/2026
We at Benchmark Climbing are immigrants or children of immigrants, and many of our staff and community share similar stories. Recent events involving immigration enforcement — including tragedies that have deeply harmed families and communities — have shaken us. We are grieving, and we stand with those impacted.
As a community space built around healing and support, we asked ourselves how to truly live Benchmark’s value of positive progression. We considered closing for the general strike, but ultimately felt it was important to bear the financial impact ourselves rather than pass that cost on to staff or members.
Climbing is more than a sport — for many people it’s essential to physical and mental health. Benchmark is a safe, inclusive space for people of all backgrounds, and we want it to remain available to anyone who needs it.
This Friday, January 30, our gyms will remain open.
All proceeds — from day passes, coaching, youth programs, retail, food, and beverages — will be donated to the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area and Unidos MN. We chose these organizations because they provide both direct legal support to immigrants locally and community-based support at the grassroots level for immigrant families in Minnesota.
We will also host an on-site station to help people donate, contact representatives, and support immigrant communities and due process.
We are offering pay-what-you-can day passes for anyone who supports or participates in protests, or who has donated to immigration-focused mutual aid groups or nonprofits.
Community spaces exist so we can decide together what kind of world we want to live in. Thank you for helping make Benchmark a home for all.
With love,
Benchmark Climbing
