Day Without Immigrants 2017 facts for kids
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Day Without Immigrants (or A Day Without Immigrants) was a special day of protest and boycott. It happened on February 16, 2017. People took part to show how important immigrants are to the United States.
The protest also spoke out against some plans by President Donald Trump. These plans included building a wall along the border with Mexico. They also involved possibly sending home many undocumented immigrants.
During this day, immigrants were asked not to go to work. They were also asked to avoid spending money. Many families kept their children home from school. This was to show how much immigrants contribute to the country's economy. It also protested against possible racial profiling by immigration officers.
The idea for this protest started on social media. People began talking about it after the 2017 Women's March. As the idea grew, important people in the restaurant business helped spread the word.
Where Did the Protests Happen?
Many shops and restaurants closed their doors in cities across the U.S. This showed support for their workers. Some of these cities included Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Detroit, and Philadelphia. Other cities were Portland, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Nashville. Also, Albuquerque, Denton, Dallas, Fort Worth, Washington, and New York took part.
In Washington, D.C., more than 50 restaurants closed. About six food places at The Pentagon also closed. Three dining spots at the Architect of the Capitol were shut down. In Chicago, five Pete's Fresh Market stores closed. The owner, Vanessa Dremonas, said workers would not be punished for protesting. Chef Rick Bayless closed many of his restaurants because his staff asked him to.
Many restaurants in Boston closed or offered smaller menus. Several McDonald's restaurants across the country also closed. Almost all stores in Midwood, Brooklyn were shut. In Dallas, over 1,000 businesses closed for the day.
Schools also saw changes. In Austin, only 60 percent of students attended KIPP Austin Comunidad schools. The Fort Worth Independent School District saw a 35 percent drop in elementary school attendance. Thousands of children in Fresno County did not go to school.
A similar event happened in Milwaukee on February 13, 2017. It was called "A Day Without Latinos."
What Did People Do?
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The Davis Museum at Wellesley College showed its support in a unique way. About 20 percent of its art displays were either removed or covered with black cloth. These 120 artworks were made or given by immigrants.
A non-profit group called Many Languages One Voice organized a protest march. It started in Washington, D.C.'s Mount Pleasant area. The march ended at the White House.
In Chicago, a large gathering took place at Union Park. Hundreds of workers marched from there to the Mexican consulate. In Austin, hundreds of demonstrators marched from City Hall to the Texas State Capitol. Protesters also gathered outside city hall in Homestead, Florida. A demonstration was held in Frankfort at the Kentucky State Capitol.
Some restaurants that stayed open donated part of their earnings from that day. They gave the money to groups that support immigrants.
See also
In Spanish: Protesta un día sin inmigrantes para niños
