Some businesses told NBC Los Angeles that they would not be participating in the nationwide strike because they need money to stay afloat.
Some businesses told NBC Los Angeles that they would not be participating in the nationwide strike because they need money to stay afloat.This national protest is calling for no work, no school. Christian Cázares reports for the NBC4 News at 4 p.
m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. As millions across the U.S. are expected to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement Friday by skipping work or school and boycotting consumer activities, Southern California business owners are faced with a tough choice of whether to close their shops in solidarity despite the challenging economy. Organizers behind"National Shutdown" are calling for no work, no school and no shopping while asking business owners to close for the day.But some small business owners in the Inland Empire said Thursday it's a big ask for them because they are already struggling amid ongoing immigration enforcement operations. The owner of Zapateria Jerez, a leather goods store in Riverside County, said he's already lost many customers in the past few months as immigrants are afraid to leave home and shop. "It’s very slow because of what’s goin on," Vidal Meija Dominguez said in Spanish."Things have changed, and people don’t want to go out because they are scared."Workers at a Perris bakery also said they have been taking a stance against ICE operations by posting a sign that notes it's a private property where federal agents are not allowed to enter. But they said closing the door for a day is a luxury they cannot afford. "This will impact the employees and the customers. People are scared to go outside and that is causing our sales to drop," Jose Hector Vargas, a butcher at La Playita Bakery, said. Others in downtown Perris also told NBC Los Angeles that they would not be participating in the nationwide strike because they need money to stay afloat. But the protest organizers said the boycotts are necessary to remind the entire national of the contribution by immigrants. For those who cannot participate, they have the option of donating, volunteering and shopping at minority-owned businesses -- not staying silent.
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