'Day Without Immigrants' Closes Businesses Across American Cities

Grocery stores, restaurants, construction companies and other businesses across the country are facing a "Day Without Immigrants" on Thursday — a protest consisting of boycotts and strikes emphasizing the importance of immigrants in American society.

Protests affected the lives of residents in New York City, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston and Chicago. But the "Day Without Immigrants" also stretched to Raleigh, Des Moines, Charlotte, Jersey City, Austin, Pittsburgh, and smaller cities such as Takoma Park, Maryland, and Wellesley, Massachusetts.

The idea for the protest day sprung up in opposition to the presidency of Donald Trump, his recent and now-suspended executive order restricting immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries, his campaign rhetoric and pledges regarding immigration, as well as the recent uptick in raids from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

In New York City, taxi and city services are expected to face delays Thursday, in addition to other businesses that will be closed or impacted. According to recent estimates, as much as 37 percent of the city's population is foreign-born. Protesters planned a rally at 10 a.m. in Battery Park and another demonstration at 5 p.m. at the Federal Building.

Some restaurateurs, while remaining open, pledged support for their immigrant employees.

High-profile figures have gotten involved in the protest. In Chicago, chef and restaurant owner Rick Bayless announced he would close down four of his restaurants: Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, Xoco and Fonda Frontera.

In Washington, D.C., José Andrés, a well-known chef and business owner shut down his restaurants. "It was a very easy decision," he told NPR.

Philadelphia protesters planned a demonstration at Thomas Paine Plaza.

In Chicago, thousands of people gathered in Union Park before marching downtown to Federal Plaza to participate in the national strike.

The Davis Museum at Wellesley College either cloaked or removed altogether all works created by artists or donated by collectors who immigrated to the United States in its show of support for the cause.

"As an immigrant myself, I had a duty to stand in solidarity with my staff," said Anas Shallal, the Iraqi-American who shut down his six popular restaurants for the day in Takoma Park, Maryland. "We had a deep, heartfelt conversation, and it was an easy decision. There are times when standing on the sidelines is not an option."

Fliers popped up around Austin alerting residents to the closures. The flier indicates restaurant closures aren't the only part of the movement. It includes a call for participants not to go to work that day, refrain from shopping at stores or on the Internet, not buy gasoline, or attend classes. Organizers also urge parents not to take their children to school on Thursday.

The protest made its impact felt across the country: