Chefs & Restaurants Ban Together for #ADayWithoutImmigrants

Today, kitchens across the country have put their pots and pans down in support of immigrants.

Thousands have come together for “A Day Without Immigrants”, a boycott that highlights the important role of immigrants in the U.S. The movement is a response to President Trump’s recent travel ban and upcoming plans to build a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. Many restaurants and businesses in metropolitan cities like D.C. and New York have either closed their doors for the day or will give today’s profits to organizations that help advance Latino communities.

José Andrés‘ five restaurants in D.C. will all be closed, along with Rick Bayless‘ four Chicago restaurants.

“It was a very easy decision,” Andrés told NPR. The Spanish chef’s choice is no surprise given his ongoing legal battle with Trump around their D.C. hotel restaurant partnership.

Bayless added, “For three decades, we’ve been a place that has welcomed, respected and promoted our immigrant staff, friends and restaurant family.” 

Tom Colicchio explained that he won’t close his New York restaurants but will support any of his workers who plan to join in the strike.

An action like this hasn’t taken place in some time; twelve years ago, the Great American Boycott protested the Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005.

Today’s strike marks the first time in history that chefs and restaurants have taken a stand.

Recently, too, New York’s popular bodegas closed for one day, also in response to Trump’s immigration ban.

Additional supporters include taquerias in Austin and notable Mexican hotspots throughout the country, among them NYC’s Patacon Pisao. The Venezuelan restaurant, which started as a food truck, will be closed all day and will reopen tomorrow at 12pm. “Without immigrants, there will be no Patacon Pisao,” said a spokesperson for the restaurant.

See here for a full list of restaurants and closings.