Denver businesses close Friday in support of anti-ICE nationwide shutdown

Over 150 businesses in the Denver metro area closed their doors on Friday, joining a nationwide general strike condemning the actions of immigration and border agents in Minneapolis this month.

Federal agents shot and killed two American citizens in the past few weeks, and now activists are calling for people to stay home from work, school, and avoid shopping.

Good Bones, a coffee shop off Colfax, is participating in the strike. Carson Allen, the owner, said, "It's really about solidarity right now."

At Good Bones, they're brewing coffee for a cause as tensions rise over ICE. Several weeks ago, the business began making and selling anti-ICE lattes, with part of the proceeds going toward supporting resources for migrants.

"It began as just a TikTok video of my wife and I, wanting to kind of let everyone know where we stand with the current situation. And so that spiraled into this amazing thing where we're able now to donate a chunk of the proceeds to Casa de Paz, an organization that gives immigrant aid here in the city," said Allen.

Ahead of Friday's closure, there was a line outside the door at Good Bones. Allen said some days, they were selling out of product.

They're among many businesses closing in solidarity with anti-ICE protests happening across the country. Less than a mile away, Sap Sua, a Vietnamese restaurant, will also be closed on Friday.

"It's developing a response to show the government that they can't continue behaving in this fashion, that it's going to be costly for them when the people unite," said Ni Nguyen, Chef Owner.

What's happening hits close to home for Nguyen and his family. His family was displaced from Vietnam in the 70s following the Vietnam War.

"We ended up in America, and now we are being brutalized and terrorized for who we are, the color of our skin," said Nguyen. "And it, I fear for my mom. I fear for my family. I fear for my little brother, who also lives here in the city."

Nguyen added that it's difficult to watch what's happening across the country and in Minneapolis, feeling hopeless but believing he needs to take a stand despite the economic impact it'll have on business.

"We are taking a huge financial hit by closing on Friday," said Nguyen. "I also think the purpose of what we are doing is to encourage others to follow suit. It'll encourage those and empower others to stand up alongside us."

"We are going to lose money, but I don't care. It's not about the money right now," said Allen. "It's about being as loud as we possibly can with what we feel is change that needs to happen in this country and in our community."

Business will be back to normal on Saturday at the coffee shop, and it will continue serving the anti-ICE lattes.

"It's been absolutely heartwarming to see the community really rally together for this cause and to support our immigrant brothers, sisters, neighbors, coworkers, and family," said Allen. "If we can do little things like this, it'll add up to big change."

At Sap Sua, they've reached out to customers who had reservations for Friday to reschedule their reservations for another day.

"If we can come together and unite under a common cause, then I think that is a powerful message to send to this administration," said Nguyen.

Leven, with several Denver-based restaurants, was on that list and decided to raise money for a non-profit called the Rocky Mountain Immigration Advocacy Network.

"After discussing internally with our leadership team, we felt we had a responsibility to take a few proactive steps; one is to work internally to provide resources and support for our team, but also as proud members of the Denver Community, we felt we had an opportunity to stand up for what we believe in, largely justice and immigrant rights," Anthony Lygizos, owner of Leven, said.

"So we decided to stay open, work towards supporting those causes through dollars, and to rally the public behind groups like RMIAN, who are doing incredible work," Lygizos continued. "The $5,280 amount is symbolic of our pride, love, and sense of belonging in the Denver community."

In north Denver, a vintage store called GoodKid wanted to send a message by closing its doors. 

"Be there for our community and our neighbors, both immigrant neighbors, and just to those that are also in support of getting ice out of Colorado," said co-owner Gabby Smith. 

"You have to put your money where your mouth is, and I think that's a big goal for today, just in the community," said Marina Bueno, another co-owner.

For them, it was a no-brainer to join the nationwide movement. 

"We believe in, you know, people over profits," Bueno added.

Standing up for what they believe in is only natural for a group of owners who sell a lot of items with political and social messages on them.

"My favorite part about vintage clothing is T-shirts, and a lot of them are meant to send a message of what you believe," said Sammy Naser, who also owns the business.

"We have these 1970s pins, and it says, 'whole Earth, whole people,'" Bueno said. "So this has been a struggle for decades that humanity is trying to unite itself."

The group took the day to get some things done. Knowing they'll be back open tomorrow, they hope their message will live on. To them, that's more important than any losses they're taking by closing for the day.

"We absolutely do want to send a message to people who are coming into our store and spending their money with us, and that's their choice too, whether they want to spend their money with us," Bueno said. "We just want them to know who they're spending their money with."