More Than 50 Chicago Businesses Close for ‘Day Without Immigrants' Demonstrations
Organizers in cities across the U.S. are telling immigrants to miss class, miss work and not shop on Thursday as a way to show the country how important they are to America's economy and way of life
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A number of Chicago businesses will close Thursday amid nationwide "Day Without Immigrants" demonstrations.
Organizers in cities across the U.S. are telling immigrants to miss class, miss work and not shop on Thursday as a way to show the country how important they are to America's economy and way of life.
Celebrity chef Rick Bayless said Wednesday he would be closing four of his Chicago restaurants "out of respect" for his staff's decision to support a planned civil action in response to recent immigration issues.
Bayless said Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, Xoco and Fonda Frontera will all be closed Thursday.
Other businesses planning to close in Chicago Thursday include:
Pilsen's Chamber of Commerce
La Vaca Margarita Bar in Pilsen
Bombon Bakery in Little Village
Ixcateco Grill
Acadia
taqueria L’Patron
5 Rabinitos
Taqueria El Mezquite
Azul 18
Cesars Killer Margaritas on Broadway
La Quina de los Reyes
Vista Hermosa Restaurant
The Berghoff
VPT Burgers
La Parada en Pilsen
Razpachos Neveria
Blind Faith Cafe
Dona Torta
La Catedral Cafe of Lincoln Square
Pacos Tacos
Salsa and Chips Inc.
Rapidito Colombian Gourmet Bites
Rojo Gusano (all locations)
Revolucion Mexican Steakhouse
El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill
El Mariachi Restaurant
The Grillroom Chophouse & Wine Bar
Valentina Restaurant
The Handlebar
Cafe Tola California
El Nuevo Mexicano
Raxpachas Neveria
Dona Torta
Townhouse Restaurant and Wine Bar
Tierra Caliente Restaurant
CESCAS Margarita Bar & Grill
La Lagartija Taqueria
Las Quecas
Los Comales Little Village
Quesadilla La Reina Del Sur
Tacos Tequilas
Cermak producer grocery on Diversey and Cicero
Club Kaliente
Numerous Pete's Fresh Markets locations in Chicago were also closed "in support" of employees and community members, the company said. While some locations remained open, the market said it supported any employee participating in the demonstration. It also offered for employees at closed stores who still want to work to come to the open locations.
The closed markets include:
5724 S. Kedzie Ave.
4700 S. Kedzie Ave.
4343 S. Pulaski Rd.
5838 S. Pulaski Rd.
2526 W. Cermak Rd.
Chicago's Eataly said it would remain open, but tweeted that it's an immigrant company, born in Italy.
"We apologize for any delay [Thursday]," the company wrote. "We are an immigrant company & support any empployees participating in the strike."
President Donald Trump has pledged to increase deportation of immigrants living in the country illegally, build a wall along the Mexican border, and ban people from certain majority-Muslim countries from coming into the U.S. He also has blamed high unemployment on immigration.
A similar protest took place in Wisconsin on Monday. Thousands marched in a "Day Without Latinos" in response to Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke's threat to crackdown on undocumented immigrants, NBC reported.