We detailed earlier today about a California restaurant coming up with a novel concept in a bid to stay open. Tossing the hypocritical actions of that state’s governor back in his face is a masterstroke, and in that same vein a bar in New York has its own solution.
Mac’s Public House, located on Staten Island, has concocted its own response to the toughened restrictions placed on businesses. Facing closures, due to a lack of outdoor seating, Mac’s has defied closing its doors, incurring a number of fines to this point. The owners have dreamt up a response to the actions imposed on the business.
Island bar owner Keith McAlarney has declared what he calls an "autonomous zone" outside his bar, Mac's Public House. He says they will not be complying with any public health restrictions issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo or Mayor Bill de Blasio. pic.twitter.com/1GxHeIxHEm
— Tony (@Mrtdogg) November 30, 2020
It makes perfect sense; previous examples of Autonomous zones were respected without intervention from the local governments nor police. It is a genius move.
The authorities have taken the next step, stripping them of their license.
Mac's Public House, N.Y. bar, declares itself 'autonomous zone' after liquor license revoked @washtimes https://t.co/2lKOctBGAY
— Jessica Chasmar (@JessicaChasmar) November 30, 2020
Co-owner Danny Presti cut a video explaining their position.
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Ah, there is intelligence in the Universe! The war on independent income has inspired Main Street to appreciate stealing and destroying their businesses has no basis in law https://t.co/HWfG5DGryh
— CatherineAustinFitts (@TheSolariReport) November 30, 2020
In an interview with The New York Post his partner Keith McAlerney showed neither of them is not phased by the move.
“We’re not backing down. You think you scared me by . . . saying I don’t have a license now to serve liquor now? Well guess what? That liquor license is on the wall. If that liquor license is gonna come off the wall, it’s gonna be done by Cuomo. You wanna come down here and pull that license off the wall?”
Governor Andrew Cuomo is not taking these impertinent acts, and the reticence of law enforcement to carry out his orders, with any degree of humor, like the tin-pot dictator he fashions himself to be.
Governor Cuomo says that Sheriffs who don’t enforce his dictatorial Coronavirus laws are dictators. pic.twitter.com/D45wAc66cO
— Yossi Gestetner (@YossiGestetner) November 23, 2020
The state police agency he controls is not enforcing this rule either. https://t.co/sMujlt9V2Z
— Joe Borelli (@JoeBorelliNYC) November 25, 2020
Knowing Cuomo as we have seen, he will not stand for this kind of public defiance for too much longer.
Yet he claims, in a dose of PR lip service, to be supportive of small businesses.
Happy #SmallBusinessSaturday!
Small businesses drive NY's economy and make our communities and neighborhoods unique.
Support YOUR locally-owned small businesses.
Shop local & shop safe, this Saturday and every day. pic.twitter.com/7KrtgsxbLD
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) November 28, 2020
We think think that Presti and McAlarney should print out this tweet and present it to any law enforcement or government agents who show up at their establishment. After all, they are simply adhering to the governor’s call to have small businesses remain viable.
It is basically an order.
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