MILWAUKEE -- They want to send a message, in whatever language lawmakers understand.
"We need a Hispanic population," supermarket owner Ernesto Villareal tells TODAY'S TMJ4. "We need these people to work.
Villareal, who owns and manages four El Rey supermarkets in Milwaukee, will close his markets on Thursday for the first time in 38 years in business. He plans to spend the day in Madison - instead of at work - along with more than 450 of his employees.
"This is going to be some message," Villareal adds.
Employees and business owners from across the state will swarm the State Capitol on Thursday as part of a movement called "A Day Without Latinos" - a call to protest two proposals on a fast track to becoming state law. Supporters say the protest shows how much the community relies on Latino and immigrant workers.
"Our factory that makes tamales will close and the drivers won't come to work," Villareal explains.
Proponents of the two bills think the measures will help fight illegal immigration. One proposal, already passed by the Assembly and Senate, prohibits city and county governments from issuing IDs to immigrants. The other proposal, still needing Senate approval, gives immunity to police officers who wish to ask anyone they meet for their immigration status.
Opponents of the bills, like Villareal, think the proposals discriminate against all immigrants.
Here is the list of all confirmed businesses closing on Thursday:
El Rey
La Hacienda
El Cabrito Restaurant
Taqueria Arandas en la 13
Panaderia Lincoln
Fiesta Salon y Spa
MG Multiservicios
Rivera's Western Wear
Charrito
General Towing
Apocolyptic Tattoo Shop
La Carcacha Auto Shop
El Tucanazo
Fiesta Garibaldi
Van Horn Latino
Crystal Alteraciones
Ropa Tradicional
Mi Lupita Grocery
Shalom Secondhand
BA Handyman
Celebrity’s Hall
G&P CONSTRUCTION LLC
JC King’s Tortas and Restaurant
Compucell
Nails On Point
Mi Supermercado
Panaderia El Sol
CARNICERIA VARGAS
Servicios M. Govea
Steel Solutions (plasma cutter) (70 workers)
