Immigrants Explain Why They Worked During ‘A Day Without Immigrants’ Boycott

Desire Thompson
Updated
Foreign-born residents say they've found other ways to get their message across on #ADayWithoutImmigrants.

By Desire Thompson

On Thursday (Feb. 16) Americans across the country felt an absence in schools and the workplace, as #ADayWithoutImmigrants demonstrated that strength truly comes in numbers.

The one-day protest came to be over President Donald Trump’s views on immigration as well as the recent Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. As thousands took to the streets, other immigrants decided to head to work.

“I find myself in a weird spot today. As a product of an immigrant mother, I stand with #adaywithoutimmigrants #daywithoutimmigrants wholeheartedly,” Andrea Torres, an educator from California posted to Instagram. “However, with the job I have, I have the privilege of getting paid even if I miss work. Not only do I get paid, but another job is being created by getting a sub, so after a long contemplation, in my eyes missing work would not only defeat the purpose of this act, but it would also harm it. So I am choosing to join this movement by not buying anything. And making sure that I thank those #immigrants that I encounter.”

I find myself in a weird spot today. As a product of an immigrant mother I stand with #adaywithoutimmigrants #daywithoutimmigrants wholeheartedly. However, with the job I have, I have the privilege of getting payed even if I miss work. Not only do I get payed, but another job is being created by getting a sub, so after a long contemplation, in my eyes missing work would not only defeat the purpose of this act, but it would also harm it. So I am choosing to join this movement by not buying anything. And making sure that I thank those #immigrants that I encounter. #sisepuede #sisepudo #immigrantsmakeamericagreat

A post shared by Andrea Torres (@andreeatea) on Feb 16, 2017 at 10:12am PST

Torres wasn’t the only one to show her solidarity in another way. Vocativ points out small businesses like Unum, a DC eatery, took the opportunity to inform customers about the plights that foreign-born residents face and how they can help. “We feel our customers should gain first-hand knowledge and realize how important, hard working and dedicated our immigrant staff work every day and what it is like without them,” they captioned an Instagram post.

Unum strongly support "day without immigrants" & after discussing with our staff we will be OPEN. We feel our customers should gain first hand knowledge and realize how important, hard working and dedicated our immigrant staff work every day and what it is like without them. E Pluribus Unum — From Many, One #daywithoutimmigrants #standup #resist #familyfirst #weareamerica #epluribusunum @washingtoncitypaper @washingtonlife

A post shared by Unum Restaurant (@unumdc) on Feb 16, 2017 at 6:16am PST

NBC News reports rallies took place in Chicago, Washington D.C and New York after word of the protest spread naturally through conversations on and offline. “It seems immigrants, especially Latinos, it seems we are under attack,” said celebrity chef José Andrés. Born in Spain, Andrés kept his restaurants closed for the boycott. “It seems we are part of the American dream, but somehow it seems that America is not recognizing what we are doing.”

See touching testimonies to the movement below.

This is what happens when you force people to feel scared. People fight back. Today at my school, students who are immigrant or come from immigrant families have decided not to show up in order to show the rest of the US what the country is without them. Only having 3 out of 54 students, and only having an average of 10 children in each classroom are clear evidence that we are tired of oppression and being belittled. We are in this together, and we will not surrender. Today, I am the proudest I've ever been of my students. #Boycott #NorthCarolina #ImmigrantsTogether #DayWithoutImmigrants #DayWithoutAnImmigrant

A post shared by Claudio (@claudiovc1) on Feb 16, 2017 at 9:40am PST

Proud to stand with our Immigrant brothers and sisters! See you tonight for @katwrightkatwright !! Bar opens at 3:30p for drinks. @atwoods_tavern #adaywithoutimmigrants #resist

A post shared by Atwood's Tavern (@atwoods_tavern) on Feb 16, 2017 at 8:41am PST

We come to work because we support our boss & team, we're encouraged to take the day off because our boss & team support us. #daywithoutimmigrants #staff #unity #team #realty #solidarity

A post shared by Kiser Group (@kisergroup) on Feb 16, 2017 at 10:02am PST

I work with Angelo and Salvino, they're brothers who hail from Mexico and have worked here for 12 years. They are extremely hard working chefs, and our little wine bar wouldn't run without them. Unfortunately they had to be at work today, but I'm grateful that they're here because Immigrants make America great #daywithoutimmigrants #NoBanNoWall

A post shared by Jaime Linn (@funnycurl_jaime) on Feb 16, 2017 at 9:29am PST

Our downtown LA factories came to a halt today as the nation experiences a #daywithoutimmigrants. We are a nation founded on immigration and are proud of our factories and the people in them. #powertothepeople 🇺🇸

A post shared by Ashley Merrill (@ashleylunya) on Feb 16, 2017 at 5:17pm PST

This post Immigrants Explain Why They Worked During ‘A Day Without Immigrants’ Boycott first appeared on Vibe.