Dozens of Seattle-area shops and restaurants shuttered their doors or are donating proceeds on Friday as part of a “National Shutdown” in protest of the Trump administration’s occupation of Minnesota and immigration crackdown.
The national political movement 50501 organized the protest under the banner “No work. No school. No shopping. Stop funding ICE.” The effort, which aims to shut down the economy nationwide, is part of a demand that the federal government remove U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from Minneapolis and other cities in the U.S.
The shutdown follows a general strike in Minneapolis on Jan. 23, during which hundreds of businesses closedand thousands of residents swept through the city to protest ICE — the day before federal agents killed Alex Pretti. Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman, was also killed by an ICE agent on Jan. 7.
In the Puget Sound region, Friday’s shutdown was endorsed by 43rd District Democrats, Central Washington Resistance and Green Party of Seattle.
Over 70 Seattle restaurants, organized by Spice Waala, donated a portion of proceeds to eateries in Minneapolis so those businesses can close Friday. Some of the fundraiser participants will have ICE warning whistles and rights-training pamphlets for patrons.
Ludi’s in downtown Seattle, which frequently has lines out the door on weekends, will close, as will Pasta Casalinga in Pike Place Market.
Hood Famous Bakeshop, a popular brunch spot and cafe in the Chinatown International District, will be closed on Friday. The restaurant wrote an addendum on Instagram: “If you are an ICE official or supporter, our doors are closed to you every day.”
The cake shop Deep Sea Sugar & Salt in Georgetown is closed, although those who made a special order in advance can still pick it up.
The Plant Store in White Center is also closed, as well as some other stores including Glasswing in Capitol Hill.
Others are keeping their doors open but donating to local organizers.
The Flour Box in Seattle, a well-known bakery, will donate all profits through the weekend to the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota.
On Capitol Hill, the music venue Neumos will donate $1 for every drink sold during its Heated Rivalry-themed and other weekend events to the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.
South Fork Baking Company in Everett will close Friday and donate one-quarter of gross sales from Saturday and Sunday, with an ownership match, to the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. South Fork’s owner and operator posted that the business was in an “extremely privileged position to be able to match proceeds and close their doors.”
“To our friends in this industry staying open out of necessity or to provide comfort and normalcy, we see you,” the post stated.
A few establishments will remain open but will not sell their products. Hoste, a vintage clothing store in West Seattle, will have its registers closed and let people inside to work on protest projects, like whistle kits and signs. Uplift Climbing, a bouldering gym in Shoreline, will remain open for climbing but won’t conduct transactions.
Push/Pull, an art supply and workshop business in Ballard, will offer its classroom area and some supplies for making protest signs and posters.
Other businesses in the area released statements voicing support for the protest, but said they could not afford to lose a day of sales.
