WILSON, Wyo. — Business across the U.S. are observing “A Day Without Mexicans” on Monday, Feb. 3, as a response to recent immigration and deportation orders by President Trump.
The demonstration is aligned with the social media campaign #ADayWithoutImmigrants, which includes businesses in California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia and more. These day-long closures are intended to highlight immigrants’ vital contributions to the economy.
Streetfood at the Stagecoach is one of the businesses closed for the day, along with its sister restaurant Butter Cafe in Victor, Idaho. Amelia Hatchard, who owns Streetfood and Butter with her husband, Marcos Hernandez, spoke to Buckrail about the decision to participate in the demonstration.
“I’m glad to be a part of it,” Hatchard said. “My husband is Mexican and I’m American, so this hits close to home, everything that’s been discussed. It’s been a scary time.”
Hatchard and Hernandez made the decision to join the movement when other local businesses in town, which wished to remain anonymous, contacted them to get involved on Sunday. After checking with their staff, they agreed that participating in the campaign was the right move.
“We just want our staff to know that they’re supported by us,” Hatchard said. “I know there are a lot of community members who care a lot about our Latino community.”
Feedback on their restaurants’ social media posts about the closure has been positive, Hatchard said. Streetfood’s post to Instagram and Facebook highlights the contributions of the Mexican community in the U.S.
“Mexican labor, passion and culture fuel kitchens, fields and industries across the nation,” Streetfood’s social media post reads. “We hope this absence speaks louder than words. We’ll be back tomorrow, as proud as ever. But today, we ask you to notice what’s missing.”
