More than two dozen protesters took part in a rally in downtown Oklahoma City on Feb. 16 to support the national A Day Without Immigrants event. [Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman]

Businesses along SW 29 in Oklahoma City and elsewhere across the metro closed Thursday as part of a national demonstration to show that immigrants matter when it comes to making the nation's economy go.

The closures and demonstrations held Thursday across the country were part of a national protest called A Day Without Immigrants, and they were aimed squarely at President Donald Trump's efforts to crack down on immigration, legal and illegal, by such means as a wall at the Mexican border and recent deportation sweeps.

Organizers said they expected thousands to participate or otherwise show support.

The heart of Philadelphia's Italian Market was uncommonly quiet. Fine restaurants in New York, San Francisco and the nation's capital closed for the day. Grocery stores, food trucks, coffee shops and taco joints in places like Chicago, Los Angeles and Boston also shut down.