DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Some businesses closed Monday across the U.S. in a loosely organized day of protest against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Many people promised not to show up for work or shop on “A Day Without Immigrants” to show the impact of immigrant communities.
It came after a weekend of mass protests across the country, including here in metro Atlanta.
More than a thousand people gathered outside Plaza Fiesta in DeKalb County on Saturday.
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Channel 2′s Candace McCowan spoke to two business owners who had employees who stayed home on Monday to show their support for immigrants.
Mahmoud Bediur owns Moda Nueva, a shop at Plaza Fiesta.
He said lately, times have been hard for his business.
“The last two or three weeks it’s been really, really bad,” Bediur said.
The store is just yards away from where crowds gathered on Saturday.
But he said when it comes to customers coming into his store, business is way down.
“About 70-90 percent these last few weeks,” Bediur said. “People are scared to spend their money.”
Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon said the targeted ICE arrests are just what a majority of Americans want, even with the economic crush.
“I think there is going to be a short-term blip as people understand what is actually going on,” McKoon said. “This administration is removing dangerous threats to our community, criminal, illegal aliens. People who are in the country legally have nothing to be afraid of, or worried about. But I think as people realize that we will get back to a normal rhythm.”
Bediur said he’s also praying for a return to normal at his business.
“I’m giving myself another month, two months. I’m losing money every day,” he said.
Organizers of Monday’s protest and the one over the weekend said those are just the beginning of demonstrations they’re setting up over the next few weeks.
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