A nationwide boycott called a ‘Day Without Immigrants’ will mean businesses and restaurants will be closed today, including many here in metro Detroit.
It's part of a national effort by organizers in cities across the country including Detroit. Immigrants are being urged to miss class, miss work, not shop today, close down their businesses all in an effort to show the country how important the diversity is and how important they are to America's economy and way of life.
In Mexicantown, dozens of businesses plan to close to protest President Donald Trump’s words and actions, over fears of more frequent immigration raids.
The ‘Day Without Immigrants’ is supposed to emphasize how important immigrants are in daily life.
A march and rally is planned to take place today beginning in Clark Park on Detroit's southwest side. Organizers ask those who wish to take part to arrive around 8 a.m. then they'll end at Patton Park around 10.
On Wednesday, dozens of people gathered at Western International High School in Detroit for a rally and vigil.
"Many people are scared right now to even go to work or send their kids to school,” said organizer, Jaime Diaz.
After the rally, there was an informational session inside the school where people could learn about their rights and what to do in the event of an immigration raid.
"We're here to defend our families,” said Diaz.
The Mexicantown Bakery is one of dozens that plans to keeps it’s doors closed on Thursday.
Mariana Soive is an employee at the bakery and she is happy about the decision to close.
"I hope everything can close, so people can realize this is affecting us, even if it's slowly happening,” said Siove.
The ‘Day Without Immigrants’ protest is spreading by word of mouth and social media.
The protest and national movement comes in response to President Donald Trump and his move to increase deportation of immigrants living in the country illegally, the building of a wall along the Mexican border, and banning people from certain majority-Muslim countries from entering the U.S.
Some employers across the country are being urged to express their appreciation for immigrants by standing in solidarity with others.
