Denver Restaurants to Close on Jan. 30 Amid General Strike and ICE Out Protests
On January 30, a number of restaurants and cafes in the Denver area will temporarily close their doors as part of a nationwide general strike. This event responds to allegations of aggressive tactics employed by federal immigration officials, particularly the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, in Minneapolis.
Denver Restaurants Participating in the General Strike
Nearly 20 establishments across the metro Denver area will join this protest. Local businesses, including popular cafes and eateries, aim to draw attention to the controversial methods used by ICE. Here’s a list of some participating businesses:
- Bánh & Butter Bakery (Aurora)
- Die Die Must Try Beverage Co.
- Gladys
- Good Bones Coffee
- Harbinger Coffee (Fort Collins)
- Hooked on Colfax
- Hudson Hill
- iN-TEA
- Jade Cafe
- January Coffee (Boulder)
- Sap Sua
- MiddleState Coffee
- Mukja Food Truck
- Quince Coffee House
- Outside Pizza
- Ruby’s Market
- Trident Booksellers & Cafe (Boulder)
- The Weathervane Cafe
- TrashHawk Tavern
The Impact of the Strike
Ni Nguyen, co-owner of the acclaimed Sap Sua Vietnamese restaurant, expressed the intention behind the strike. Both he and his wife, Anna Nguyen, made the decision to cancel 110 reservations for that day. They plan to compensate their staff for potential lost tips.
“This is one thing we feel we can actually do that might make a difference,” Anna remarked. The couple’s decision to partake in the strike stems from inspiration derived from recent events in Minnesota, where numerous businesses also shut down in solidarity and protest.
Support for Local Immigrant Rights Organizations
In addition to closing their doors, some Denver establishments will donate a portion of their profits to local immigrant advocacy groups. For instance, the restaurant MAKfam has committed to directing 30% of its sales to the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network and the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. Similarly, Bon Vin, a wine shop, will contribute 10% of profits from a special tasting event to Casa de Paz, which assists individuals in immigration detention.
Community Response and Ongoing Protests
Organizers from various groups, including Indivisible and General Strike US, have encouraged businesses to participate in the strike. Dain Lee, an organizer for General Strike US, noted the strong involvement of the restaurant industry. Many employees in this sector are immigrants, which deepens the connection to these protests.
As the strike day approaches, the community is reminded to support local businesses on other days. Lee encouraged everyone to engage with these establishments when possible.
As this situation develops, it remains essential to monitor the dialogue around immigration policies and community responses.
