The following crosspost is by Xavier Reyes of Al Dia in America. Para ler en espanhol, clique aqui
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - The national protest against President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown echoed throughout Louisville on Monday, when several Latino businesses closed their doors and announced their decision to close via social media in order to promote “a day without Latinos in the United States.”
Mexican supermarkets, like Guanajuato, Puebla and Mi Preferida, among others, did not serve on Monday, February 3.
In a tour conducted by Al Día en América, it was confirmed that these businesses were closed for business. These were not the only businesses joining in the protest, as other area restaurants and grocery stores participated as well.
“In conjunction with a day without immigrants, we are closed on Monday, February 3,” said a small sign posted at the entrance of the Puebla supermarket in Jeffersontown.
Two Guanajuato supermarket locations, one located on Bardstown Road and the other on Preston Highway, were closed. The Preston Highway location, which is in an area with a large Latino presence, posted a notice in Spanish listing immigrants’ rights in case they are interrogated by federal agents.
Juan Porras, a young Guatemalan looking to do his shopping, was surprised to see the closed doors. However, he said he agreed with the protest. “Today I won’t get what I was looking for, but it doesn’t matter; somehow, the government must understand that we are not criminals, but workers,” he said.
Farther down Preston Highway, the El Molcajete Ky restaurant also posted a message for its customers. Handwritten in marker, the sign read, “Today, February 3, service will not be provided to support our Latino community. See you again on Tuesday. Thank you.”
Protests against the anti-immigrant measures taken by the Trump administration spread throughout the United States. In states with a high concentration of Latinos like California or Texas, there have even been demonstrations in the streets. People were seen displaying their native flags and playing music to reaffirm their identity. It was a plea to the government for more respect and moderation when making its decisions. Another expression of discontent was the call for Hispanics not to go to work or school, as well as to avoid shopping in American stores.
“It’s a good idea, because this way the gringos will realize that they need our people not only as a workforce, but as consumers,” said Leonardo Chávez, an undocumented worker who has been in Louisville for more than a decade.
Although the latest population census (from 2020) indicates that the Latino community in Jefferson County (Louisville) is 7.5%, on the streets and in stores Hispanic workers and consumers have multiplied in recent years, becoming an important part of the local economy.
Mexican Martha Sánchez, who grew up in Texas and has American citizenship, organized a meeting of immigrants to protest with signs in solidarity with those who have been unjustly persecuted and deported in the raids ordered by President Trump.
“We agree that we all must comply with the laws, but at the same time we are seeing that this is getting out of control, they are taking everyone away,” lamented Sánchez. “This is the first protest, and we will see what happens in the future, until then the only thing we ask is that Hispanics cannot be insensitive to what is happening; we have to say, ‘No to racism’ and ‘No to discrimination.’”
The original post of this story can be read in both Spanish and English at Al Dia in America
Donate to help us cover the "Days without Immigrants" movement
