A national movement called “A Day Without Immigrants” hit close to home Monday as a handful of Tallahassee and Quincy restaurants, food trucks and other businesses shut down operations in solidarity.
A widespread call circulated over social media with the message, “No School, No Work and No Business,” to highlight the role immigrants play in communities, while protesting immigration crackdowns and deportation policies enacted under the Trump administration.
Local businesses took to Facebook to share their support.
Mama’s House, a Mexican food truck located in Quincy, posted in Facebook it was “closed today, February 2, supporting our Latino Community! Just like we send out these type of messages TOGETHER, we should do much more during the year supporting each other through events & projects each day!”
The restaurant is typically closed on Mondays, but to show their alignment with the one-day protest, Sunday operations were suspended as well.
Restaurants Torero posted Sunday that along with The Bull Restaurant in Quincy it too would be closed.
“Lord, through your grace, that we may imitate your love and show true compassion supporting one another; we know that in your glory it doesn’t matter color or race; give us the wisdom to move forward in these bad times. Open our hearts so we can offer hospitality to all who seek a breath of hope,” it said.
On the local scene, food truck Chiles and Chili posted it was closed Monday, as well as Valerios Auto Sales. La Tiendita and El Jalisco Mexican restaurant on North Monroe appear to be closed as well to mark the movement. Though the restaurants are generally open on Mondays, reporters who went to both eateries said they were closed.
The effect of the closures was noted in the social media group Tallahassee Foodies. Members expressed disappointment to have to eat elsewhere for the day, while also sharing support for their favorite establishments.
One user commented, ” ‘Viva La Raza’ (long live the race).”
Kyla A Sanford can be reached at ksanford@tallahassee.com.