Multiple local businesses in San Luis Obispo County will be closed today in support of the national shutdown organized by grassroots activists to stand against Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The nationwide shutdown calls on people to avoid participating in work, school and shopping.
“This is basically just not participating in daily life or daily functions,” said Catherine Whelan-Bustos, a biochemistry freshman. “If things can’t go on as normal for these immigrant communities, then we need to show that that’s not normal and not acceptable by our standards either.”
These local businesses include Blackwater, Thrifty Beaches, The Bunker SLO, Phoenix Bookstore, Calico Trading Co., Corazon Cafe, Junk Girls and Boo Boo Records in Downtown San Luis Obispo, alongside The Green Omen Apothecary in Atascadero.
Field Day Coffee will not be shutting down for the day, but will be donating all of their profits to 805 Undocufund, according to their Instagram story. Linnaea’s Cafe will be open only in the evening with a “pay what you wish” service and a performance from Ena Luis-Belo, reminding people “not to shame small businesses or workers who have to stay open tomorrow. We all are doing what we can, and there’s no sense in dividing the movement,” in an Instagram post.
The shutdown was inspired by the general strike against ICE held in Minnesota on Jan. 23, according to The National Shutdown website. The organization calls for justice for Renée Good, Alex Pretti, Silverio Villegas González, Keith Porter Jr. and “all victims of ICE terror,” according to the website.
READ MORE: Sheriff’s Office discusses ICE ties at SLO County forum
“We are supporting all efforts to bring awareness to the overstepping of ICE,” owner of Boo Boo Records Mike White said.
Riana Martinez, owner of Green Omen Apothecary in Atascadero, said she is navigating an internal struggle of how to speak up while staying true to her brand.
“I know it’s not a one and done situation,” Martinez said. “I feel like we’re very early in this protest and making change. Unfortunately, I feel like we have a long way to go.”
Many students support the movement, some participating
Environmental management and protection sophomore Sammy Vos said that recent ICE incidents fuel her support for the movement.
“If it’s for defunding ICE, I think that’s a good thing,” Vos said. “Because with all the recent stuff like Renée Good and Alex Pretti, I just am very saddened. Even if someone isn’t a U.S. citizen, that’s not grounds for violence to be used against them.”
READ MORE: Cal Poly student set up booth demanding justice for Alex Pretti
Agricultural engineering sophomore Yagmur Wernimont said that she supports the shutdown goals, but questioned whether it has been widely publicized enough to be effective, saying she would’ve participated if she had known about it in advance. She plans to only attend her midterm and not her other classes in order to contribute.
“If I see people shopping tomorrow, I’m not gonna just be like ‘they’re a terrible person,’” Wernimont said. “No, they’re just grocery shopping, and they don’t know, they’re not aware.”
Agricultural systems management junior José González said that he probably won’t be able to participate because he has an important test today. González said he does not agree with what has been happening in relation to deportations.
“Any kind of action I think is good. I know people have their different ways of protesting,” González said. “I feel like it might need more action past this point. I don’t know if just having everyone take a day off will be enough to garner more attention for it or to spur action against what is going on.”
Whelan-Bustos, the biochemistry freshman, said she plans to participate in the shutdown by not going to her two classes.
“I’m a white woman,” Whelan-Bustos said. “As [someone] that isn’t often discriminated against, I feel like sometimes if you’re privileged, you should use your voice to speak up for marginalized communities that would be prosecuted otherwise.”
Whelan-Bustos heard about the nationwide shutdown through Instagram and knows people who are participating.
“I think we need ICE out of our towns and out of our communities,” Whelan-Bustos said.