(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Hundreds of people in the Chicago area and across the country stayed home from work on Monday as part of a nation-wide protest to highlight the contribution of immigrants to the United States.
The event was called "A Day Without Immigrants."
USA Today reported Monday's action was moved up from a planned May date because of Trump's new immigration policies, including his sweeping order on birthright citizenship.
“Let’s raise our voices for our rights and our families,’’ said one online flier urging the protest, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Hundreds also marched in West Chicago, protesting the Trump administration. The large group marched from the corner of Rt. 59 and Roosevelt Road to West Chicago City Hall to protest the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
"We don't like ICE in the neighborhood, in West Chicago," said. Gabriella Hernandez with the nonprofit Casa DuPage.
Hernandez said within the past couple of days, ICE agents have been spotted in West Chicago.
She and many others stayed home from work to protest.
"The principal point is to send a message to the new administration. We're staying here, we don't move. The Latina community is organizing because we don't feel fair."
President and CEO of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Jaime di Paulo, says he has mixed feelings about the protest.
"I believe we hurting ourselves, because the only businesses I seen close is our own businesses, Latino businesses. We're hurting the economy of our communities," di Paulo said.
More than 60 businesses in Illinois and California shut down for the protest.
"I'm feeling their pain too, but when you hurting our businesses, small businesses don't have the luxury I haven't paid time off if they if they don't show up to work, they could be fired, they could and they're not going to get paid for that particular day. So it's hurting our economy."
He says groups need to be more strategic and invite the business community the next time they want to organize.
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