ST. PAUL — Dozens of restaurants across the Twin Cities were closed or short-staffed to mark “A Day Without Immigrants.”

The protest was part of rallies at several cities in the U.S. Thursday to show how important immigrants are to daily life. Workers in other industries also took the day off in solidarity.

Organizers said the protests are in response to President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda, which includes a pledge to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border and toughen the federal government’s approach to people who enter the country illegally.

According to a press release, demonstrators marched from the Mexican consulate in St. Paul to the state Capitol. The crowd grew to more than 1,000 people by the time it ended.

With immigrant workers out, some eateries in the Twin Cities closed for the day while others tried to make due with fewer workers.