Thousands of immigrants in Georgia were encouraged to stay away from shops, work and school today as part of a national economic protest against crackdowns on illegal immigration. But most in metro Atlanta said they sent their kids to school, and some were too fearful to risk losing what they sought in coming to this country — jobs.

Inside Plaza Fiesta, a Hispanic mall, handwritten signs in Spanish told the few patrons why all stands were covered up and stores shuttered — "in solidarity with our people."

In southern Georgia, some farmers said they had to stop the harvest because their seasonal workers didn't come to work. But others said it was business as usual.

Many Latino advocacy groups, including organizers of large April 10th march, had warned immigrants in Georgia not to risk their jobs. A march in Athens is planned for this evening so it won't interfere with the workday.

A rally at the state Capitol that drew an estimated 4,500 protesters.

In northeast Georgia's Hall County, where more than 30 percent of almost 24,000 students are Hispanic, officials said there were 1,444 Latino absences today. But that was less than half the 3,000 absent during a similar protest on March 24th.

Immigrants say they hope their voice compels Congress to give those here illegally a path to citizenship and to fight Georgia's new law that will bar undocumented adults from receiving state benefits.