LANCASTER, Pa. — Several Lancaster businesses took part Friday in a national “No Business as Usual” protest opposing recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions, with some closing their doors for the day.
Others stayed open and found different ways to participate.
Square One Coffee was among the businesses that shut down entirely. Zoetropolis, a restaurant and movie theater in Lancaster, remained open, citing existing reservations that made closing impractical.
“We support the no business as usual, unfortunately with the nature of being a small business in this city, we have reservations come in and we have to honor those reservations,” said Christina Ungaro, general manager of Zoetropolis.
Instead of closing, Ungaro said the business looked for another way to show support. The solution came from behind the bar.
Zoetropolis temporarily renamed one of its most popular cocktails — the “Frustrated Artist” — to the “Frustrated Citizen.” A portion of proceeds from the drink is being donated to the Lancaster Neighbor Fund, a local organization that provides financial assistance to immigrant families facing deportation.
Ungaro said the goal was not only fundraising, but conversation.
“Talking person to person you can get more across than if you’re just reading an Instagram post or a Facebook post,” Ungaro said. “It’s the humanity in it.”
Bar manager Austin Grzymala said the message resonated with customers. During the dinner rush, he said only five drinks ordered were something other than the Frustrated Citizen.
The protests have also drawn criticism.
In a Facebook post, U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick said he supports Border Patrol and ICE, calling their work critical to enforcing the law. He added that enforcement must protect public safety while maintaining public trust.
For Ungaro, the focus is closer to home.
“A lot of people who are suffering with deportation are a big part of our community here in Lancaster,” she said. “They are also contributing to this community.”
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