ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Across the nation, a day of action was held on Friday, calling for people to skip work, school, and shopping, in response to criticism over federal immigration enforcement. Here in the Capital Region, some local businesses took different approaches to the call to action. News10’s Amber Fisher spoke with local owners about how they’re navigating the day.
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In Albany, that call is playing out in different ways, with some businesses staying open and others closing for the day. Copper Crow Owner Jason Pierce said that his restaurants would stay open, but they would donate a portion of the day’s proceeds to local organizations.
“Here we’re taking things a little differently. We’re going to open our restaurants, Savoy Taproom, the Copper Crow, and we’re going to donate a portion of our proceeds to the Center for Law and Justice and the Regional Food Bank.” said Pierce.
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Pierce said that donating while staying open was his way of responding to the strike. Pierce explained, “36% of restaurant owners are immigrants. One in five restaurant employees are immigrants. We’re showing our support for these people not by closing the restaurants or the places they work, but instead keeping donations right here locally, where they can do good and fight for justice on the streets of our city.”
Pierce continued, “Instead of closing, we’re kind of shining a spotlight on that and saying, these are people we care about. These are people we want here. They’re hardworking, fabulous employees and owners, and they’re an integral part of our community.”
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While many in the Capital Region express concern for immigrants in the community, the Trump administration reiterates that their top priority is public safety. “We will conduct targeted enforcement operations, targeted. What we’ve done for decades. When we hit the streets, we know exactly who we’re looking for,” said Tom Homan of the Trump Administration…