As part of a nationwide #strike, dozens of NYC businesses closed January 30. We visited two of them.

Key Concepts

• H1 Strike: A call for a nationwide strike – encompassing no work, no school, no shopping – initiated by anti-ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) protesters.
• Fixed Costs: Business expenses that remain constant regardless of sales volume (e.g., rent, utilities).
• Revenue Streams: The different sources of income for a business (e.g., brick-and-mortar sales, online sales, wholesale).
• Solidarity: A feeling of unity based on shared interests or experiences, in this case, supporting the anti-ICE movement.
• Prioritizing People over Commerce: The conscious decision to sacrifice economic gain for ethical or political reasons.

Nationwide Strike & Business Closures – January 30th

Following the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Prey in Minneapolis, anti-ICE protesters organized a nationwide “H1 Strike” on January 30th, advocating for no work, no school, and no shopping. The video focuses on the impact of this strike on small businesses in New York City, specifically examining the financial consequences and motivations behind participating. Dozens of businesses in NYC voluntarily closed their doors in support.

Financial Impact on Little Egg Restaurant

Evan Hanzer, owner of Little Egg restaurant in Brooklyn, decided to close his establishment for the day in solidarity with the strike. He initially underestimated the potential participation, stating, “I was thinking, ‘Oh, cool. Calls for an H1 strike. I think that would be could be really powerful if only people actually did it.’ And then I paused for a moment was like, ‘Oh, I’m people.’” The closure resulted in a direct loss of approximately $2,200 in sales compared to the same Friday last year. Hanzer emphasized that despite the lost revenue, fixed costs – rent and utilities – remained unchanged, meaning the business absorbed the full financial impact without any cost reduction.

Broader Economic Context

The strike occurred during a challenging period for New York City’s small businesses. The video notes a post-holiday slump, unusually cold temperatures, and a significant blizzard had already negatively impacted business activity. Closing a single independent restaurant for a day is described as “no small…decision” highlighting the financial vulnerability of such establishments.

Taiwanese Pantry & Diversified Revenue

Lisa Chang Smith, owner of Taiwanese Pantry, also participated in the strike, closing both her brick-and-mortar store and her online shop. The online shop represents 80% of her total business revenue. Despite this significant impact, Chang Smith expressed a feeling of empowerment, stating that taking the website offline “actually kind of feels powerful to me in a demonstration of support, solidarity, and show that we can choose to prioritize, you know, people over convenience or community over commerce at any time.”

Business Resilience & Multiple Income Sources

Chang Smith’s business is positioned to withstand the closure due to its diversified revenue streams, including wholesale partnerships and the anticipated sales increase associated with the Lunar New Year. She highlights the importance of having multiple income sources to absorb the impact of such disruptions.

The Power of Collective Action & Exercising the Right to Close

Chang Smith articulates a key perspective: “So, for me, I think it’s really about exercising the right to close. Seeing other folks do things gives us permission to feel like we can do them, too. And and if that’s a role we can play, then that’s great.” This emphasizes the role of collective action and the psychological impact of witnessing others prioritize values over profit. The act of closing is framed not just as a financial loss, but as a demonstration of political and ethical commitment.

Synthesis

The video illustrates the complex decision-making process faced by small business owners when confronted with politically motivated calls for economic disruption. While participation in the H1 strike resulted in demonstrable financial losses – $2,200 for Little Egg and a significant portion of Taiwanese Pantry’s revenue – the owners expressed a sense of empowerment and solidarity. The ability to absorb these losses was linked to diversified revenue streams and a belief in the importance of prioritizing ethical considerations over immediate profit. The video underscores the power of collective action and the potential for businesses to use their platforms to advocate for social and political change.