Activists across the nation have called for a general strike Friday as part of a show of solidarity for those in Minneapolis and in protest of ICE’s actions there.
The National Shutdown protest calls for an economic blackout, and celebrities such as Natalie Portman, Pedro Pascal, Billie Eilish and Hannah Einbinder have voiced their support for the shutdown on social media. A website for the National Shutdown includes hundreds of organizations, including Pittsburgh Palestine Solidarity Committee and Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents blog.
Locally, several businesses issued statements in support of the shutdown but made the decision to stay open.
Club Cafe on Pittsburgh’s South Side said it will remain open and donate a percentage of Friday night’s profits to Casa San Jose, a resource center supporting Pittsburgh’s Latino community.
“Like many of our fellow small businesses, we have a hard choice that we know many like us have not taken lightly in this heavy moment,” the venue posted on social media. “Club Cafe is and always will be a place for all to gather in music — in community — in resistance.”
Another venue, Bottlerocket Social Hall in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood, will donate all proceeds from Friday’s comedy show with Brandon Wardell to Casa San Jose. Profits from a drink special all weekend will also be donated.
“As the world slips into places increasingly ugly and bleak, magnified by a seemingly inescapable stream of horrors across social media, we take great pride and responsibility in our jobs providing people the chance to find relief, joy and community within our walls,” according to a social media post from Bottlerocket.
City Theatre in Pittsburgh’s South Side Flats will continue with its presentation of “Malcolm X & Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem” but voiced support for their arts colleagues in Minnesota.
“Our doors will remain open, and we will continue performances tonight, opening our lobby post-show for conversation and connection building,” according to a social media post.
They suggested patrons support Casa San Jose, the Collaborative for Immigrant Impact, Literacy Pittsburgh and 1Hood Media.
White Whale Bookstore in Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield neighborhood said it supported the “strike in protest of ICE and DHS brutality,” and supported any staff or customers who decided not to work or shop Friday. The store, which will have limited hours, will donate this week’s proceeds from their current events and resources list to the Collaborative for Immigrant Impact Fund.
East End Brewing Company in Pittsburgh’s Larimer neighborhood said it supported the protest efforts but will open because they “need to” to support their staff and community.
“We feel pretty strongly about things like due process, the rule of law, and the constitutional rights of all the people who live in our country,” according to their social media post. “Taking this position isn’t something we ever thought we’d need to do … but here we are.”
Brillobox in Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield announced its decision to close for the day.
“We don’t hide where we stand and what we stand for,” according to a social media post. “It’s time to get our (expletive) together.”