Portland, Oregon, the scene of many protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, experienced another movement. On Friday, hundreds of students from McDaniel High School and Roosevelt High School left midday and marched west through light rain in protest. Some schools in the state even provided excused absences for those who participated in the march.
Other businesses in the Pacific Northwest deliberated whether to close Friday in solidarity with the nationwide protest. Some shut their doors, while others were hesitant due to lost revenue or possible fear of taking a political stance.
These types of decisions from corporations can have effects on profit and brand. The schools that allowed absences for the protests may face backlash, as well as the schools that did not provide that opportunity. Similarly, the companies that shut their doors for business may not just lose a day’s worth of customers, but potential buyers altogether.
It can be difficult to decipher the results either option will have on a corporation’s reputation. For the high schools in particular, it is notable because this is a hot topic among the youth in these school districts.
Jasmin Reyes-Contreras said, “We as students care about the funding that’s going to ICE because this is impacting everybody. I mean, there’s been students who’ve gotten their parents taken away who go to Roosevelt High School.” The schools’ response to whether they allowed students to be excused Friday could have significant effects on their student rates for the next few years.
As for corporations, there could be a decline in business for those that stayed open in areas with higher Latino populations, such as Portland. The businesses that closed their doors could also see a decline in customers who support ICE and refute the outspoken protests that have been happening around the country.
Many of these companies may issue press releases on the matter to maintain their brand and connection with customers.
