Today, Americans nationwide are boycotting businesses in the name of “A Day Without Immigrants,” a nationwide protest of U.S. immigration policy.
For some restaurants that are owned by or employ immigrants, that means a shorter staff, or lights out altogether on Thursday.
Some members of the Breckenridge Restaurant Association are waiting to see if workers show up Thursday, and will make a decision on whether to close if there are too many absences, . Others are backing the protest by closing for lunch.
Chef and restaurateur Frank Bonanno posted a statement on Facebook saying “People who have been with me ten, thirteen years, without missing a day are choosing to make their voices heard on this one. I stand with them. We stand with our team. In honor of today’s protests, Osteria Marco & Russell’s Smokehouse will be closed for business today.”
Maria Empanada restaurants in Denver and Greenwood Village, will support the protest , said the eatery’s Daniel Cantarovici. Adelitas Cocina y Cantina in Denver also will be closed Thursday.
The Colorado Restaurant Association advised restaurants not to come down on employees who miss work.
In an email to members, the association said employees have a right to protest, that members can withhold pay for hours they miss, “however, we don’t advise that you discipline employees on top of that.”
“You don’t want to do or say anything that could be interpreted as a threat,” the restaurant association said.
“The Colorado Restaurant Association has long supported responsible immigration reform because foreign-born workers are critical to our industry,” said CRA spokeswoman Carolyn Livingston.
