The co-owner of a bar on Staten Island which declared itself an ‘autonomous zone‘ after its liquor license was yanked over COVID-19 lockdown violations was arrested and perp-walked out of the business in handcuffs on Tuesday night.
According to Deputy Sheriffs, Mac’s Public House general manager and co-owner Daniel Presti was charged with several offenses, including obstructing governmental administration, for continuing to operate the establishment despite being in an ‘orange zone’ – where indoor dining is not allowed and there is a 10 p.m. dining curfew, according to NY1.
To try to get around those rules, Mac’s tried to offer free food and drinks with a suggested donation.
The state stripped the bar of its liquor license last week, and the city health department ordered the bar to close.
The state Liquor Authority had said offering alcohol for free is not a “loophole” and that a liquor license is needed to sell or serve alcohol.
On Tuesday, the city Buildings Department ordered the business to vacate.
Despite that order, investigators say plainclothes deputies saw 14 people inside eating and drinking inside Tuesday night.
Deputies arrested Presti and gave employees appearance tickets for violating city and state laws. –NY1
BREAKING 🚨: Staten Island bar owner arrested for defying lockdown orders.@JohnnyTabacco tells @gregkellyusa, "Governor Cuomo is a mobster." pic.twitter.com/4ZUaNSoHau
— Newsmax (@newsmax) December 2, 2020
Following the arrest, approximately 50 people gathered outside Mac’s for a peaceful protest.
“You don’t selectively enforce. You have all of these big box businesses that are wide open, making billions of dollars and these people, if they don’t survive, they’re going to go to ugly extremes, and that’s what’s going to happen, it’s going to be worse than the virus itself,” said protester Scott Lobaido.
State Sen. Andrew Lanza (R) arrived on scene and delivered a speech to the crowd, which included dozens of restaurant owners from across Staten Island who came in support of Presti and co-owner Keith McAlarney.
“This order simply says that they need to cease and desist,” said Lanza. “Nowhere here is there an arrest warrant, nowhere here is anything about arresting anyone on their private property. So I’ll ask, [and] you don’t have to answer … why was he arrested? I was told you would tell me why he was arrested and now I’m asking for that answer.”
Last week, the state of New York issued a Section 16 order from Health Commissioner Dr. Howard A. Zucker ordering Macs to follow coronavirus restrictions – with failure to do so resulting in possible fines of up to $10,000 per day. Mac’s liquor license was suspended on Nov. 27 by unanimous vote, according to silive.com.
People are not happy…
Mac’s Public House is being raided by the Sheriff’s Dept in #StatenIsland !! F**k you @NYCMayor and @NYGovCuomo ! #nyc #news #politics pic.twitter.com/vRGHdg4xF6
— Scott LoBaido (@ScottLoBaido) December 2, 2020
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We’ll see but I have my doubts a big crowd will show up. New Yorkers were always known for their toughness. Now they’re more like whipped dogs cowering with their tails between their legs-with the exception of JEWS. Sorry Jew-haters but they are the only ones putting up a fight. Maybe because they know what happens at the end of backing down to tyranny.
Proof once again that you own nothing and the government controls your life.
I’m going to assume the guy in that last video was Italian. I love Italians.
Defund the police…. “Just following orders??”
The police officer’s job is to enforce the law. It’s the tyrants in councils that make those stupid laws. People should hate the tyrants instead but they just keep reelecting them.
That police officer took an oath to defend the constitution, he chose to defend his paycheck and pension over his oath. Makes him the same value target as the politician that put him into that position.
Do you think DUI should be prosecuted?
Communist Tyrants disapprove your thoughts and actions and can shut you down. Same happening in Toronto at the Adamson BBQ. Scott is right: the only peaceful solution is 10000 + people showing up to protest.
DeBlasio and Cuomo are a fucking disgrace to the great Italian-American people.
DeBlasio is no Italian, his name is Wilhelm and he is jew.
Maybe the Black Hat Hasids from Brooklyn can make him an offer he can’t refuse.
And my Italian Father Despised Baggy Eyed Cuomo (Sr.). That’s what my pops called him…never used the name Mario…just baggy eyed…followed by several expletives. Miss my dad.
Any more questions of who’s side the police will be on if a civil war breaks out ?
Whoever pays them.
They will always go after the unarmed offenders first. People who shoot back tend to slow them down.
You see that with Muslims. The cops have “no go” zone because they know the shit storm that will occur if they enter. We should emulate them on that count. I hope to hell that 10,000 did show up at 6pm tonight.
Can you imagine the righteous anger these people must have. Working 7 days a week to build a business that is your life’s blood, sweat and tears then, have some jackass tell you to throw it all away for no adequate reason? How the blood hasn’t flowed is beyond me.
Until the cops refuse to carry out the orders to arrest and harass the people, the arrests and harassment will continue. Peaceful protests are not worth a bucket of warm shit. Inviting mealy mouthed elected officials (who have failed to stop the NY Governor in his illegal executive orders) or listening to them is another waste of time. Either make them hurt, or stay home and shut up.
I would file bankruptcy and just pick up sticks and move.
Sure they can. Moving to a new town and getting a job washing dishes will pay rent. Move!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NakkKxjIiA&feature=emb_title
Thank the Stars TRue New Yorkers are standing up…and saying “FUggeddaboudit!!!!!!!!!!
I won’t start until I have no other choice. I’m not looking for a fight but I will fight back.
Remember, the first ones are killed first and/or made an example of. Only after that do others engage.
Stories like this as sad as they are always inspire me when you have someone standing up for what is right. Lets hope this starts the ball rolling. Imagine if 90% of NYC small business refused to close or even pay rates. Hard to organize but if everyone were to follow it through to the end Cuomo would be finished. Resist every step
Land of the free and the home of the brave? Not so much these days. Brown shirt fascists wearing blue, oh well, who really cares?