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To the sound of honking horns, about 17 community members gathered on Fourth Street in Hollister to show their support on Feb. 3 for the migrant community as part of the nationwide “Day Without Immigrants” demonstration.
Audrey Cortes said she was inspired by a friend who did the same on Feb. 2. She said two coworkers and her sister joined her in making signs and gathering near the Briggs Building parking garage between San Benito and Monterey streets. A group of over 50 people later marched on San Benito Street.
The crowd grew as passersby decided to join. The demonstration lasted more than four hours as participants waved Mexican flags and United Farm Workers flags, held signs and chanted slogans such as “Si se Puede!” (Yes we can!).
“With everything that is going on with the [Trump] administration we really felt like it was important to show our support,” Cortes said. “And for the people that can’t speak up or don’t feel comfortable speaking up. That’s why we are here.”
Cortes said the gathering was also held to show solidarity with several businesses that were closed on Feb. 3 in response to President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies.
In downtown Hollister, Cosmos Bar and Grill, Las Micheladas Bar and Grill and La Catrina had signs notifying their customers they were closed for the day.
A letter taped to the front door of La Catrina read, “La Catrina, a family-owned business, will be closed in support and solidarity with our immigrants, who have chosen not to work today as a demonstration of their impact and contributions to our society. We stand with this cause because we recognize the hard work, dedication, and value of our immigrant community.”
Cortes said her father migrated to the U.S. at 17 years old. A landscaping contractor who worked all over the Bay Area, he died in 2020.
She said her dad’s hard work provided a pathway for his children to get an education.
“I feel like every person deserves that opportunity to make something of themselves in their lives and for the coming generations,” she said.
In response to fears of mass deportations, San Benito County Sheriff Eric Taylor and Hollister Police Chief Carlos Reynoso said their departments do not enforce federal immigration laws but focus on criminal activity, regardless of immigration status.
According to a 2023 American Community Survey estimate, San Benito County is home to more than 6,000 undocumented immigrants.
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