U.S. Businesses Shutter Doors for ‘Day Without Immigrants’

Across the country, retailers stopped business to stand in solidarity with a temporary walkout to emphasize the important role immigrants play.

February 17, 2017

WASHINGTON – Across the United States yesterday, merchants closed doors or anticipated possible closure because of not enough workers during “Day Without Immigrants” demonstrations, USA Today reports. From Washington, D.C., to Austin, Texas, businesses and workers in major cities skipped work and school to take part in the strike. Several hundred demonstrators marched to the White House at noon.

The strikes come after nationwide roundups of undocumented immigrants. President Donald Trump’s plan to build a wall at the Mexican/American border, increase border patrols and remove federal funding from sanctuary cities spurred the demonstrations.

Businesses that closed down on Thursday include restaurants, shops, beauty salons and bodegas. “Our team members are the face of the brand, from the front lines to our kitchen—they're the backbone of this company and what makes Sweetgreen special,” said Sweetgreen co-founders Jonathan Neman, Nicolas Jammet and Nathaniel Ru in an email to customers. They closed 18 locations in the Washington, D.C., area. “And that's why we stand with them, today and every day.”

Even some plumbers stopped work to stand in solidarity with immigrants. Lowell Faulkner, owner of At Your Service Pluming in Lakewood, Colo., said, “To me it’s worth it to stand behind them,” adding that they hire immigrant workers on a regular basis. “They’re honest. They show up to work every day. … You’ve got to judge people by the content of their heart, not the color of their skin.”

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