A decade ago, the Great American Boycott on May 1, 2006 saw millions of immigrants and supporters march in cities across the country in response to proposed changes to U.S. immigration laws. Schools, restaurants and other businesses—including Cargill Meat Solutions and Goya Foods—closed or halted operations on that day.

Today, another grassroots campaign, the Day Without Immigrants, saw businesses close nationwide as immigrant labor took the day off in protest of the hard-line enforcement policies pursued by President Donald Trump's administration.

In Houston, restaurants including Torchy's Tacos, Pollo Bravo and Tacos a Go-Go—even some McDonald's—closed their doors in solidarity with their employees, while several hundred gathered for a Day Without Immigrants rally in the East End's Guadalupe Plaza starting at 6 p.m. The peaceful protests saw flags, banners, signs and calls for respect for the foreign-born immigrants who make up nearly one-third of Houston's population.