NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Supporters of a Staten Island bar turned out Wednesday night to protest its shutdown.
Police say the bar, located in a COVID hot spot, repeatedly defied restrictions.
Chopper 2 flew overhead what looked like a major block party in Grant City, but instead it was a large protest. Most people didn’t have masks on.
Hundreds stood shoulder-to-shoulder with American flags and political signs, demanding change in the area.
R.I.P. Rafer Johnson, 86, Gold Medalist in the 1960 Olympic Decathlon
They demonstrated in front of New York City sheriff’s officers, who guarded the front door of Mac’s Public House.
(CBS2)
The bar and restaurant was forced to close when its owners refused to stop indoor dining in an orange zone after several warnings.
The general manager was escorted out in handcuffs Tuesday night for defying the order.
“They are just trying to support their family,” said Kevin Smith, who was mixed in with the group of supporters. “There’s people doing heroin and defecating on the subway… I think that spreads the virus a lot more than some people having a drink in Staten Island.”
Owner Keith McAlarney said he feels he’s being stopped from making money.
“I’m allowed to be inside my private property. I pay my rent. They’re saying right now I can’t serve food and I can’t serve alcohol,” he said Wednesday.
The guidelines for orange zone areas allow him to serve take-out, alcohol and outdoor diners.
The zip code has one of the highest COVID infection rates in the city at 8.62%.
