Sme businesses in New York City were closed Monday as part of A Day Without Immigrants, a nationwide protest strike calling attention to the role immigrants play in the U.S. economy.
Many stores along Port Richmond Ave. in Staten Island were closed, including San Jeronimo Deli & Grocery, which had a bright yellow sign on its roll down gate announcing in Spanish why it would be closed Monday.
“Joining with the call for peaceful protest in relation to the immigration cause that has been taking place in the country and the increase in the prices of Mexican products that will affect both businesses and consumers,’ the sign reads. “Let’s unite for a day!”
Home Furnishings Depot, also on Port Richmond Ave., had a sign posted on its closed gate reading “Support the immigrant community, united we will never be defeated.”
Organizers of the protest encouraged immigrants to forego work, shopping and school.
“Let’s raise our voices for our rights and our families,” an Instagram post promoting the protest reads.
The protest comes against a backdrop of renewed ICE raids in New York City and elsewhere in the country since President Trump took office last month.