WATCH: Thousands Join 'Day Without Immigrants' Protest March in Chicago

CHICAGO, IL — Thousands of people gathered Thursday in Union Park before marching downtown to Federal Plaza to participate in a national "Day Without Immigrants" strike.

The event was part of a movement that urged immigrants around the country to take off work, skip school and not spend money in order to protest President Donald Trump's immigration policies. Since taking office, Trump has signed executive orders establishing the creation of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and cutting off federal grant money to "sanctuary cities," jurisdictions such as Chicago with policies that don't require local agencies to go after residents simply based on their status as U.S. citizens.

In Chicago, a Day Without Immigrants rally began at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, in Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St. Demonstrators marched to the Loop and Federal Plaza as part of the event.

Participants chanted "USA" and "Si se puede" ("Yes you can") as they marched through downtown streets. By Thursday afternoon, thousands of protesters eventually gathered around the Picasso sculpture at Federal Plaza.

WATCH: Fox 32 Chicago broadcasts aerial footage of the Day Without Immigrants rally at Union Park. Plus video on the ground:

Also in the city, popular chef and restaurateur Rick Bayless offered his support of the national protest by closing four of his Chicago eateries Thursday. The culinary celebrity made his announcement Wednesday over Twitter, explaining the decision came after a staff vote to support the movement.

RELATED: Chef Rick Bayless Closes 4 Chicago Restaurants As Part Of 'Day Without Immigrants' Protest

The four Bayless restaurants that will shut its doors Thursday, Feb. 16, are Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, Xoco and Fonda Frontera.

Other Chicago restaurants closed Thursday in support of the national Day Without Immigrants include:

• 5 Rabinitos
• Acadia
• Azul 18 Restaurant
• The Berghoff
• Blind Faith Cafe
• La Catedral Cafe of Lincoln Square
• Dona Torta
• The Grillroom Chophouse and Wine Bar
• The Handlebar
• May St. Cafe

• La Parada en Pilsen
• Rojo Gusano
• L'Patron
• Revolucion Mexican Steakhouse
• Salsa and Chips
• Townhouse Restaurant and Wine Bar
• La Vaca Margarita Bar
• Valentina Restaurant
• Vista Hermosa Restaurant
• VPT

Pete’s Fresh Market is also closing five of its 12 grocery stores to support the strike, according to the Washington Times. The father of Pete's current owner, Vanessa Dremonas, is a Greek immigrant, and backing immigrants is “in his DNA,” she told the the newspaper.

While some businesses didn't shut their doors Thursday, they did show support for the strike in other ways. Primebar posted the following at its Upper Wacker Drive location:

Patch will continue to update this story.

UPDATED (2:36 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16)

Protesters march during Chicago's "Day of Immigration" rally Feb. 16. (photo by Veronica Perez)

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