Dozens of Danbury businesses are closed Thursday to stand in solidarity with immigrants as part of a nationwide protest called “ A Day Without Immigrants,” meant to represent the importance of immigrants to the US economy.
Organizers across the country told immigrants to miss class, miss work and not shop Thursday to show the country the impact they have on the US economy and way of life. The protest gained momentum of social media and comes in respond to President Donald Trump’s actions on immigration.
The president has pledged his administration will increase deportation of immigrants living in the country illegally, build a wall across the Mexican border, and ban residents from certain majority-Muslim countries from entering the US. He has also blamed high unemployment on immigration.
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Fliers written in Spanish with the title “Todos somos inmigrants” – we are all immigrants - circulated on social media earlier in the week. Combined they listed over 50 Danbury businesses that planned to stay closed Thursday to support immigrants.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut threw their support behind the movement.
"Documented or undocumented, every person in Connecticut has rights under our Constitution. Immigrants are vital members of Connecticut communities. Businesses participating in today's protest sent the right message of support and solidarity for new Americans," said Melvin Medina, outreach and advocacy director.
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Actions are planned in major cities across the country including Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Boston, New York, Houston, Chicago and California’s Bay Area.
