{"id":554472,"date":"2026-01-30T17:59:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T17:59:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/554472\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T17:59:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T17:59:10","slug":"latino-owned-shops-will-close-to-join-in-anti-ice-national-shutdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/554472\/","title":{"rendered":"Latino-owned shops will close to join in anti-ICE national shutdown"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Due to the recent killing of 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti over the weekend in Minneapolis and the ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, advocacy groups and people across the internet have called for a nationwide protest on Friday<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Organizers of the movement have asked that people not go to school or work and that they not participate in the economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe entire country is shocked and outraged at the brutal killings of Alex Pretti, Renee Good, Silverio Villegas Gonz\u00e1lez, and Keith Porter Jr. by federal agents,\u201d the National Shutdown\u2019s organizers wrote on their website<\/a>. \u201cWhile Trump and other right wing politicians are slandering them as \u2018terrorists,\u2019 the video evidence makes it clear beyond all doubt: they were gunned down in broad daylight simply for exercising their First Amendment right to protest mass deportation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Several Latino businesses in L.A. have announced they will participate in the shutdown by closing up their shops of the day.<\/p>\n

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, a Mexican American cultural center and museum in downtown L.A. just across from Placita Olvera, announced Thursday on Instagram<\/a> that it would pause operations on Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cLA Plaza stands firmly in solidarity with our community during the national shutdown, guided by our enduring commitment to justice, dignity, and peace,\u201d the organization\u2019s Chief Executive Leticia Rhi Buckley told The Times.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt a moment when our communities are being targeted and marginalized, LA Plaza\u2019s mission to uplift Latino history, culture, and voices becomes even more vital. We have determined that the most meaningful way to advance our mission today is to support our staff and guests in freely participating in civic action. By creating space for engagement, reflection, and advocacy, we continue the work of building a more just and compassionate future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tia Chucha\u2019s Centro Cultural & Bookstore<\/a>, which has been a staple in the San Fernando Valley for more than two decades, will also be participating in the shutdown.<\/p>\n

The Sylmar-based business\u2019s executive director Michael Centeno spoke with The Times about the shop\u2019s decision to join in the nationwide movement.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just with everything that\u2019s been going on recently in Minnesota, but also what our communities have been experiencing since last year,\u201d he said. \u201cWe just felt that it was right to be in solidarity with the movement to shut down tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the decision of whether or not to participate was being discussed, Centeno said that he heard rumblings that Panorama City and Van Nuys were hit with \u201cdifferent ICE kidnappings.\u201d<\/p>\n

Centeno and another executive member finalized their decision to partake in the shutdown on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

He clarified that all of the employees who were scheduled to work on Friday will still be paid for that day\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey could utilize that time for whatever they choose to do,\u201d Centeno said. \u201cSo if they want to either participate in any other protests, or however they want to use it is up to them. They\u2019re definitely getting compensated for the day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Boyle Height\u2019s coffee shop Picaresca Barra de Cafe<\/a> will also be joining in solidarity with those demanding justice throughout the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe violence and harm inflicted by [ICE] has instilled fear and destabilized our communities, but we are committed to providing and nurturing connection, care and collective action,\u201d a Wednesday message<\/a> on the business\u2019s social media read.<\/p>\n

\u201cInstead of operating as usual, we\u2019ll open the space as a community meeting point \u2014 a place for people to gather, make posters, connect and support one another. We\u2019ll be providing materials where we can, along with free drip coffee, and holding the space intentionally and respectfully. Our space will be open from 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sara\u2019s Market<\/a>, a locally owned grocery store that has been in East L.A. for more than 60 years, announced Thursday afternoon its intention to close on Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe stand with our people and our community. We have seen the massive raids happening throughout the country and have seen the fear in our communities,\u201d the store wrote in a social media post.<\/a> \u201cWe want to lead by example and show our neighbors and our community that we need to stick together now more than ever and have the courage to stand for what we believe in.\u201d<\/p>\n

The food vendor also included a note acknowledging that some small businesses cannot afford to close for the day and that people should be encouraged to shop small, if at all.<\/p>\n

In an interview with the L.A. branch of the Party of Socialism and Liberation<\/a>, Melchor Moreno \u2014 the owner of Boyle Height\u2019s La Chispa de Oro restaurant \u2014 said that his business would shut down on Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201c[ICE raids are] affecting all the businesses around here,\u201d he said. \u201cThe restaurant\u2019s kind of empty right now and normally it\u2019s a busy time for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moreno further shared his thoughts on the importance of collective action.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s in our benefit to try to join together to see if we can do some change and stop these deportations. \u2026 It\u2019s affecting everyone so might as well join in the cause and shut down for the day.\u201d<\/p>\n