• Press Release

During Bodega Protests Today on Muslim Ban, Amnesty International Will Drive Calls to Senate from Across U.S.

February 2, 2017

‘Today, we're standing with the bodega owners and workers who are refusing to be intimidated and silenced by this cruel and unlawful Muslim ban, and we're demanding that Congress step in and block it.’

As hundreds of bodega owners and workers in New York City shut down from noon to 8 pm today to protest President Trump's order effectively banning many Muslims from entering the U.S., Amnesty International USA will mobilize people across the country to call their Senators and demand they step in and block the ban.

Through SMS/text mobilization to its nationwide activist network and street outreach in five major cities, Amnesty International USA will stand in solidarity with bodega owners and workers protesting the ban and will press Congress to block that ban from being enforced.

"President Trump's Muslim ban has sent a chilling message to millions of American Muslims who are part of the fabric of this country. Today, we're standing with the bodega owners and workers who are refusing to be intimidated and silenced by this cruel and unlawful Muslim ban, and we're demanding that Congress step in and block it. The Senate must immediately pass legislation preventing the Muslim ban from going into effect," said Amnesty International USA Executive Director Margaret Huang.

When people text AMNESTY to 21333, they will get an immediate response patching them through on a phone call to their member of the U.S. Senate. Amnesty International USA is activating its 1.3 million members and supporters to make calls, and doing street outreach to the public in five cities. The bodega shutdown is being organized by a coalition of concerned individuals and groups. Also today, Amnesty International USA is partnering with Public Citizen to protest against the Muslim ban outside of a lunch fundraiser that House Speaker Paul Ryan is attending at 12:20 p.m. at Charlie Palmer Steak in Washington, DC.

Starting tomorrow, Amnesty International USA will hold weekly protests against the Muslim ban in cities and towns across the country.