Today thousands of people are taking to the streets for "A Day Without Immigrants," an event taking a stand against President Donald Trump's immigration policies. While it originated in Washington, D.C. with a group of Latinx workers, social media indicates that the event has spread to cities across the country, extending to businesses in Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, and many others. The event, a combination boycott/strike, makes a powerful statement to Trump's travel bans and plans to build a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico — a statement made all the more powerful by the signs from "A Day Without Immigrants" that are hitting the streets and being widely shared on social media platforms throughout the course of today.
The event serves as a powerful followup to Monday's "Day Without Latinos" in Milwaukee, as well as other protests across the country, from the protesters who immediately flocked to airport terminals following the travel ban to seven Muslim-majority companies and refugee admission halt, to the followup protests in the streets, to bodega strikes and taxi driver strikes in New York. While Americans continue to plan protests and strikes throughout the course of this year — it's a marathon, not a sprint, as the organizers of March 8's Women's Strike note — social media has become a powerful tool for elevating voices, as evidenced by some of today's powerful signs and posts outside businesses' doors.
Austin
Protesters have congregated outside of Austin City Hall this morning, kicking off the Day Without Immigrants in their city.
Chicago
People in Chicago are gathering at Union Park.
Indianapolis
The protest in Indianapolis has taken to the streets to march.
Washington, D.C.
The Sanctuary in D.C. made a powerful statement with this multi-person banner.
Solidarity
Many restaurants that have shut down are leaving notes explaining to patrons the reason for the close, making it all the more powerful by spreading awareness both in person and on social media.
See You Tomorrow
This is yet another one of many restaurants that have shared their closings on social media today in cities across the nation.
Next Gen
So pumped for whatever generation this is that comes after Gen Z, y'all.
Sign Of Resistance
Many organizations are posting in solidarity to the event, including this design posted by the Women's March organizers.
This post is updating as the protests start taking place this afternoon in cities across the nation.
