Bethesda Restaurants Close For 'Day Without Immigrants' Protest

(Updated at 11:20 a.m.) BETHESDA, MD — In a move to support Thursday's national "Day Without Immigrants" protest, renowned Bethesda restaurant Jaleo is closed on Feb. 16, says its management. Jaleo has closed all of its DC area locations for the day, including the restaurant at 7271 Woodmont Avenue, a move many other businesses nationwide are making Thursday to show they are against President Donald Trump's immigration policies.

The protest will involve immigrants choosing to stay home from school and work, including restaurants and bars.

Jaleo's chef and owner Jose Andres, who immigrated from Spain and later became a U.S. citizen, has been vocal about his support for the shutdown on his Twitter feed. Andres famously dropped out of a deal with Trump to open a restaurant at Trump International Hotel in Washington in protest of the president's characterization of Mexicans as drug dealers and rapists; the duo are fighting it out in court.

A number of his long-time employees told Andres they planned to stay home Thursday and protest, which first raised the issue for him. Once they explained, he told National Public Radio that he decided to join them and support them. The chef says immigrants, especially Latinos, are under attack, yet they are integral to farm work, wineries, commercial fishing and the food service industry.

"It seems we are part of the American dream, but somehow it seems that America is not recognizing what we are doing," Andres told NPR.

All Sweetgreen locations in the DC area are closed Thursday, says The Washington Post, including the Bethesda site at 4831 Bethesda Ave. and the Silver Spring location at 8517 Georgia Ave.

Jeff Black, owner of Black’s Bar & Kitchen, 7750 Woodmont Ave. in Bethesda, and Republic in Takoma Park, told Washingtonian magazine said he may have to close his doors for the day if enough staff stays home. “We believe in our employee’s rights and it’s their right to stand up for what they believe in,” Black said.

Organizers for the Day Without Immigrants protest are urging immigrants to the United States to skip class, call out of work and abstain from spending money Thursday to make clear they do not support 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 where local governments do not enforce federal immigration laws.

In Washington, D.C., more than 30 restaurants are closing as part of the boycott. Businesses in Chicago, Minneapolis and Austin, Texas, are also participating.

The closures will have a big effect on the D.C. dining scene Thursday, according to a Washington Post report.

Here is their full list of restaurants that will either be closed or have limited operations: Anxo Cider & Pinxtos Bar, Bad Saint, Bangkok Golden, Boundary Stone, Brookland's Finest, Brookland Pint, Bub & Pop's, Busboys and Poets, DC Empanadas, Union Market and food truck, El Chucho, Hank's Cocktail Bar, Hank's Oyster Bar, Hank's Pasta Bar, Himitsu, Ivy and Coney, Jaleo, Jetties, Justin's Cafe, Le Caprice Bakery, Meridian Pint, Oyamel, Peacock Cafe, Pizzeria Paradiso, Pupatella, Rappahannock Oyster Bar, Room 11, Smoke & Barrel, Stomping Ground, Surfside, Thip Khao, Veloce, and Zaytinya.