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US businesses shut to back immigrants for a day A Day Without Immigrants protest sees US businesses close
(about 2 hours later)
US businesses and schools face possible disruption as workers and students vow to stay home to draw attention to the contribution of immigrants. US businesses and schools faced disruption on Thursday as workers and students stayed home to highlight the contribution of immigrants.
The movement, which spread through social media, calls upon foreign-born workers to refuse to participate in the US economy for one day. Schools, restaurants and grocery stores shut across the country, from Los Angeles to Chicago to New York.
Dozens of restaurants in Washington were shut on Thursday, as well as in several locations around the country. Some schools saw student-led walkouts, despite appeals not to.
Schools are also poised for the possibility of student walkouts. The Day Without Immigrants protest, spread by social media, urged foreign-born workers to refuse to participate in the US economy for a day.
At the Pentagon in Virginia, the heart of America's military where approximately 25,000 people work, at least seven restaurants announced that they would be closing for the day. About 50 restaurants in Washington were shut on Thursday, as well as in other cities including Boston and San Francisco.
In Massachusetts, Wellesley's College's art museum will remove all artworks created or donated by immigrants. At the Pentagon in Virginia, the heart of America's military where about 25,000 people work, at least seven restaurants announced they would be shut for the day.
School officials in New Mexico, the US state with the highest percentage of Hispanic residents, are worried that hundreds of kids may stay home. In Massachusetts, Wellesley's College's art museum removed all artworks created or donated by immigrants.
"We respectfully ask all parents to acknowledge that students need to be in class every day to benefit from the education they are guaranteed and to avoid falling behind in school and life," school administrators with the Albuquerque Public Schools wrote in a letter to parents. In New Mexico, the US state with the highest percentage of Hispanic residents, many businesses were shuttered from Albuquerque to Santa Fe.
Standing in the 9th Street Market in Philadelphia, Rani Vasudeva was struck by the usually bustling hub of commerce's quietness.
"It's actually very sad," said the 38-year-old university professor. "You realise the impact the immigrant community has. We need each other for our daily lives."
Day of action around the US
The Los Angeles United School District, the nation's second largest district, rang parents to warn them.The Los Angeles United School District, the nation's second largest district, rang parents to warn them.
"All students and staff are encouraged, and expected, to come to school.... I urge students and staff not to disrupt learning by participating in protests or walkouts during the instructional day," chief-of-staff Alma Pena-Sanchez said in a voicemail message sent to parents. "I urge students and staff not to disrupt learning by participating in protests or walkouts during the instructional day," chief-of-staff Alma Pena-Sanchez said in a voicemail message sent to parents.
One school in the US capital has decided to close down for the day, in order to allow teachers to protest. One school in the US capital decided to close down for the day, in order to allow teachers to protest.
The 426 primary students of the Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School have been given the day off in solidarity with the boycott. The 426 primary students of the Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School were given the day off in solidarity with the boycott.
Andy Shallal, who is closing several of his Washington-area restaurants, is an immigrant from Iraq - one of the seven countries on Mr Trump's proposed travel ban executive order. Andy Shallal, who is closing several of his Washington-area restaurants, is from Iraq - one of the seven countries on Mr Trump's proposed travel ban executive order.
He told local media that "as an immigrant myself, I could not stand on the sidelines and watch the rest of my staff not be here. I wanted to make sure we are in solidarity with them".He told local media that "as an immigrant myself, I could not stand on the sidelines and watch the rest of my staff not be here. I wanted to make sure we are in solidarity with them".
One of the protest leaders, Spanish-American celebrity chef Jose Andres, had a public falling out with Donald Trump when he decided to pull out of a contract to open a restaurant in Mr Trump's new Washington hotel. One of the protest leaders, Spanish-American celebrity chef Jose Andres, had a public falling out with Donald Trump when he decided to pull out of a contract to open a restaurant in the president's new Washington hotel.
Mr Trump is currently suing him for $10m (£8m) for breach of contract and the chef is counter-suing for $8m (£6.4m). Mr Trump is currently suing him for $10m (£8m) for breach of contract; the chef is counter-suing for $8m (£6.4m).
A march is also planned for the White House, but it is unclear how many people will attend. A march was also planned for the White House.
Last month, nearly 500,000 protesters took the the streets of Washington to protest over the presidency of Donald Trump and to draw attention to issues affecting women. Last month, nearly 500,000 protesters took to the streets of Washington to protest over the presidency of Donald Trump and to draw attention to issues affecting women.
How the boycott is being debatedHow the boycott is being debated
Many social media users have taken to Twitter using the hashtag #DayWithoutImmigrants to weigh in on the debate.Many social media users have taken to Twitter using the hashtag #DayWithoutImmigrants to weigh in on the debate.
In the last 24 hours the hashtag has been used almost 200,000 times.In the last 24 hours the hashtag has been used almost 200,000 times.
Many people have been using the day to voice their support, @LyssaG21 tweeted: "Many of the immigrants in our country work low paying jobs that most Americans won't work for, remember that." @LyssaG21 tweeted: "Many of the immigrants in our country work low paying jobs that most Americans won't work for, remember that."
While others wanted to point out what they saw as the positives: "Finally a day when I will get an English speaking customer service rep" suggests @NAWparty.While others wanted to point out what they saw as the positives: "Finally a day when I will get an English speaking customer service rep" suggests @NAWparty.
But some were not happy.But some were not happy.
This #DayWithoutImmigrants is a great idea. Hopefully they'll all pack up and go back home to save us the time and effort of deportations. @MarkDiceThis #DayWithoutImmigrants is a great idea. Hopefully they'll all pack up and go back home to save us the time and effort of deportations. @MarkDice
The social debate also wanted to make the distinction between illegal immigrants and economic migrants. @tumblrisntfacts tweeted: "A #DayWithoutImmigrants would be horrible. A day without ILLEGAL immigrants would be following the law."The social debate also wanted to make the distinction between illegal immigrants and economic migrants. @tumblrisntfacts tweeted: "A #DayWithoutImmigrants would be horrible. A day without ILLEGAL immigrants would be following the law."
But others argued that it was about standing up for communities who feel victimised "It's not about if you're LEGAL or ILLEGAL it's about finally speaking up." suggests @aesthetixsammy.But others argued that it was about standing up for communities who feel victimised "It's not about if you're LEGAL or ILLEGAL it's about finally speaking up." suggests @aesthetixsammy.
While @oxminaox posted: "To those of you protesting today, thank you. Many have fears and need people like you to raise your voices. Stay safe."While @oxminaox posted: "To those of you protesting today, thank you. Many have fears and need people like you to raise your voices. Stay safe."