Many business owners are forgoing profits to send a message to the federal government, demanding an end to immigrant family separations and the killing of protesters
PORTLAND, Oregon — At Ice Queen in Southeast Portland, owner Rebecca Smith has been working to grow her vegan ice cream shop, especially during winter.
“January’s the slowest month for any restaurant,” Smith said. “But Fridays and Saturdays are our busiest days of the week.”
So why, on Friday, Jan. 30, did Smith and her employees decide to close for the day?
They joined a national strike calling on people to skip work, shopping and school to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“There are bigger things at play here and bigger questions than my business,” Smith said. “It’s just about human dignity.”
The strike follows protests after two people were killed this month in Minneapolis by federal immigration agents, triggering demonstrations nationwide.
“I hope people come out in droves,” said Cyrus Ichiza, executive chef at Jade Rabbit in Southeast Portland. “I hope we see record numbers not just on the streets in Portland, but across the nation and across the world.”
Despite calls to close, Ichiza’s restaurant is one of many that will stay open on Friday, citing the financial strain that closing would create. He said he’s grateful for customers’ support and for anyone standing up against ICE.
“We’re going to do what we can to stop this machine, to stop what’s going on out into the world in whatever ways we can,” Ichiza said. “It isn’t necessarily about who’s wrong or right in what action it is, it’s just that every single one of us is taking an action.”
Businesses planning to participate and close Friday:
Several businesses that plan to stay open Friday say they will donate a portion of proceeds to organizations that support immigrants:
