Title: Vermont Businesses Join Anti-ICE Strike, Some Close Doors Vermont businesses across the state joined Friday’s nationwide general strike against President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, though many chose partial closures or donation pledges over shutting down completely.
The strike responds to recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations nationwide, particularly aggressive activity in Minneapolis that culminated in the January 24 killing of protester Alex Pretti during anti-ICE demonstrations.
Burlington’s City Market closed both grocery locations from 3 to 4 p.m. “to support the nationwide ICE OUT demonstrations,” citing being “deeply troubled by the ongoing disregard for civil rights that is happening in our country right now.”
Santiago’s Cuban Cuisine on Burlington’s waterfront took the more dramatic step of closing entirely. Chef-owner Oscar Arencibia polled his 16-person staff before making the decision, despite the financial hit from losing a busy Friday night.
“Democracy seems like the thing we should be leading with, so I led with that,” Arencibia said of putting the closure to a vote. An “overwhelming majority” chose to close. “The price on our conscience would be greater than any money the business would make if we stayed open.”
Many businesses opted for middle-ground approaches, staying open while donating portions of sales to immigrant-supporting nonprofits like Migrant Justice. Phoenix Books pledged 20 percent of sales from January 30 through February 6 to the Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund across its Burlington, Essex and Rutland locations.
The grassroots shutdown movement, led by University of Minnesota student groups, calls for “No work. No school. No shopping. Stop funding ICE.” The campaign gained momentum following Pretti’s death, which prompted Vermont Gov. Phil Scott to break from his typically cautious stance on criticizing Trump policies.
“It’s not acceptable for American citizens to be killed by federal agents for exercising their God-given and constitutional rights to protest their government,” Scott wrote in a public statement.
For many small businesses, complete closure during Vermont’s slow winter season poses serious financial risks. Donwoori Korean restaurant in Winooski acknowledged the dilemma, pledging sales donations while explaining that “as a small, independent restaurant, closing our doors just isn’t something we can realistically do.”
The Wallflower Collective in downtown Burlington faced similar constraints, noting “we rely on weekends to make ends meet” while committed to hosting acts for the three-day Groundhog Fest.
The Vermont response reflects broader tensions between political solidarity and economic survival facing small businesses during the immigration enforcement crackdown.
