Latino business owners in Wisconsin flexed their economic muscle Thursday in protest of a proposed immigration bill by walking out from their jobs and meeting outside the Madison legislative assembly. The demonstration took place as Wisconsin is drawing more political attention, with its presidential primaries just weeks away.

Protesting Controversial Immigration Bills

Business owners and employees from around the State Capitol and elsewhere supported "A Day Without Latinos" to emphasize to the state's legislative body and its citizens how much the community relies on Latinos and immigrant workers.

Immigrants are under increasing pressure in Wisconsin. One proposal has already passed the state's Assembly and Senate that would prohibit city and county governments from issuing IDs to immigrants.

Another proposal, now moving to the Senate, gives immunity to law enforcement officials for asking anyone suspected of breaking the law in the state for official identification or immigration status -- by preventing local governments from passing ordinances against such police actions. Proponents of both bills think the legislation will help fight illegal immigration, but local politicians and government officials believe the measures are simply a roadblock to their public service missions.

A Day Without Latinos

In a news conference reported by Wisconsin Public Radio, Madison Mayor Paul Soglin supported "A Day Without Latinos," criticizing the state government for putting up legal obstacles for local governments that wish to assist their immigrant communities.

"Tragically, we're now at a point where our state Legislature, which refuses to do the right thing on its own, is now looking at legislation which is going to stop us from taking appropriate steps," said Soglin.

Local police in Madison assisted the protesters, shutting down a traffic lane to allow demonstrators to march on the Capitol building. Madison Police Chief Mike Koval criticized the state's legislation, saying it sends the message "that not all are welcome in this city."

Latinos, immigrants and supporters were sending their own message back.

"This is going to be some message," said Ernesto Villareal, proprietor of four El Rey supermarkets in Milwaukee, who rallied more than 450 employees to join him in the state's Capital on Thursday.

"Our factory that makes tamales will close and the drivers won't come to work," added Villareal to NBC's Milwaukee affiliate, which has listed the wide variety of Latino-owned enterprises -- from supermarkets and restaurants to tattoo shops to construction companies -- that closed for business on Thursday.

Other businesses, such as those in the state's economic cornerstone, the Wisconsin dairy industry, also felt the day without Latinos, as farmers and distributors rely on Latino workers on a daily basis.

"Whenever you have uncertainty that Wisconsin is not a good state to work in that's not good for our industry," said the Dairy Business Association's Tim Trotter. The Wisconsin Dairy Business Association's John Holevoet added, "We are not in favor of any legislation that would make our workers' lives more difficult."

Building the Vote

The protest was not aimed solely at the state assembly, and organizers were looking at building a long-term effort to organize Latinos and immigrant voters to make their voices heard at the polls. The immigrant advocacy group Voces de la Frontera said Thursday's protest will help efforts to get the vote out for candidates who support comprehensive immigration reform.

Both the democratic and republican primary elections are taking place on April 5 in Wisconsin, and while most of the political attention is focused right now on South Carolina and Nevada, the dairy state will soon be getting national attention.