Numerous Latinos in Alabama skipped work or closed shops Wednesday in a show of protest against the state's new immigration law, the harshest in the nation.
The work stoppage was aimed at demonstrating the economic contribution of Alabama's Latino immigrants. It was unclear exactly how widespread the protests were, but a poultry company spokesman said officials were reporting unusually high absences at plants in northeast Alabama, where much of the state's chicken industry is based.
AL Official Lauds Exodus of MigrantsIn the northeast Alabama town of Albertville, numerous Hispanic-owned businesses along Main Street had the lights off and signs that said they wouldn't be open. Mexican restaurants, a bank that caters to Hispanics, small grocery stores and supermarkets were all shuttered.
José Contreras owns a restaurant and store on Main Street. He said he was losing about $2,500 in revenue by shutting down.
"We closed because we need to open the eyes of the people who are operating this state," said Contreras, originally from the Dominican Republic and a U.S. citizen. "It's an example of if the law pushes too much, what will happen."
Republican supporters say Alabama's strict new immigration law was intended to force undocumented workers out of jobs and help legal residents find work in a state suffering from high unemployment.
Read more: Alabama Latinos Stage Work Stoppage to Protest Immigration Law | Fox News Latino
The work stoppage was aimed at demonstrating the economic contribution of Alabama's Latino immigrants. It was unclear exactly how widespread the protests were, but a poultry company spokesman said officials were reporting unusually high absences at plants in northeast Alabama, where much of the state's chicken industry is based.
AL Official Lauds Exodus of MigrantsIn the northeast Alabama town of Albertville, numerous Hispanic-owned businesses along Main Street had the lights off and signs that said they wouldn't be open. Mexican restaurants, a bank that caters to Hispanics, small grocery stores and supermarkets were all shuttered.
José Contreras owns a restaurant and store on Main Street. He said he was losing about $2,500 in revenue by shutting down.
"We closed because we need to open the eyes of the people who are operating this state," said Contreras, originally from the Dominican Republic and a U.S. citizen. "It's an example of if the law pushes too much, what will happen."
Republican supporters say Alabama's strict new immigration law was intended to force undocumented workers out of jobs and help legal residents find work in a state suffering from high unemployment.
Read more: Alabama Latinos Stage Work Stoppage to Protest Immigration Law | Fox News Latino