Richmond businesses close and donate sales to protest ICE
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photos: Getty Images
Dozens of Richmond businesses on Friday either closed down or donated a portion of their sales to a local nonprofit supporting families affected by ICE raids.
Why it matters: The action was part of a nationwide strike against immigration enforcement — and one of the largest coordinated showings yet of local businesses opposing ICE.
State of play: Organizers of the national shutdown called for people to protest ICE's enforcement tactics by boycotting school, work and shopping.
- For some Richmond businesses, that meant shutting down on Friday in solidarity.
- But others, like Riverside Tavern on Forest Hill and Don't Look Back near Scott's Addition, took to Instagram to say they couldn't risk doing that after weather-related closures this week threatened their finances.
- "To be completely transparent, some cannot afford further loss," Don't Look Back staff wrote.
Zoom in: Those businesses opted instead to stay open while donating 10% to 20% of their Friday sales to the Richmond Legal Fund.
- The reason: "To do what we can" to help local families "targeted by ICE," Fat Rabbit Cakes staff wrote in a social media post.
- According to the fund's Instagram, recent donations have helped cover rent for a new mother whose spouse was detained by ICE and legal support for another local resident.
What they're saying: "There's no question that we're seeing a different type of support now," Kristin Reed, one of the legal fund's co-founders, tells Axios.
- While opposition to ICE in Richmond was "very strong right out of the gate," Reed says individual donations to the fund peaked at more than $45,000 this month — more than double the previous record set in July.
Meanwhile, at least 13 businesses, including Spotty Dog in Church Hill and Nevermore in Northside, collected donations like nonperishable groceries, diapers, gift cards and baby formula throughout the weekend.
- Those will go to Sacred Heart Center in South Richmond and MadRVA, according to Rosewood Clothing Co.