Hundreds of Yemeni business owners rallied against President Donald Trump's immigration ban, which targets people from seven mostly-Muslim countries, including Yemen. NY1's Lori Chung filed the following report.
At Brooklyn Borough Hall, there was a sea of Yemeni and American flags, and many strong words for the president.
"As you see, the flag here in my hand is American. This is my country," said one protester.
"Mr. Trump, you don't know what you're doing," said another.
"This guy thinks we're sleeping, and we're not sleeping," said a third.
Hundreds of Yemeni Americans rallied in outrage at Trump's executive order barring citizens of their home country and six other Muslim majority nations from entering the United States.
"You have the right, and your families have the right, to be part of the American dream," said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.
Many blamed the policy for tearing families apart.
"My nephew, my brother-in-law's son, he's stuck in Egypt right now. He got a visa. His father has been waiting for about six years to get him the visa," said one protester. "This is a 13-year-old who's stranded in Egypt,"
This was part of a day of action that started with bodega and business owners across the city closing their doors in protest, saying the order doesn't protect the country against terrorism but targets Muslims for their faith.
"Why you protect the country from my son to see his mother, his brothers?" said one protester.
Protesters vowed to fight until the order is reversed.
"I could lose all my money, but to stay in this country, this is my country," said one protester.
The bodegas and shops that participated remained closed for eight hours during the protest. Many said Yemen has been embroiled in war and that those fleeing the danger shouldn't be punished by the U.S., but welcomed.