Arrested NYC Bar Owner: I've Lost Faith in Cuomo & de Blasio Over COVID Restrictions
Mac's Public House owner vows to keep fighting
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The owner of a bar in Staten Island, who was arrested by police for defying New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's "orange zone" coronavirus orders, vowed to continue fighting to save his business.
Danny Presti, co-owner of Mac's Public House, said he was "losing faith" in the local and city governments.
Neon Nettle reported earlier this week that Mac’s Public House was raided after the owners refused to obey state mandates.
The pub declared itself an "autonomous zone" and stayed open.
Five city sheriff’s officers showed up at the establishment and arrested co-owner Danny Presti, the Staten Island Advance reported.
Cuomo responded Wednesday in a statement through his spokesman, Jack Sterne.
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"This owner is learning that actions have consequences," Cuomo said.
"Breaking the law and putting your neighbors' lives at risk during a global pandemic to make a political statement is simply unacceptable."
WATCH: Kayleigh Plays Video of Newsom, Pelosi, Lightfoot, Breaking Lockdown Rules
— Neon Nettle (@NeonNettle) December 2, 2020
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The bar owner noted he is just blocks away from locations where indoor dining is permitted.
"We just need in some way to either be assisted or to get our places open and these state agencies and city agencies that come in and threaten to fine us or pull our licenses every single day, it's not right," Presti said.
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He added that agencies like the state liquor authority and the TSA are "kicking open the door and then threatening tens of thousands of dollars of fines every single day."
On Wednesday, hundreds rallied behind the owner and protested the COVID-19 restrictions outside of Mac's Public House
"This is what we're saying to our governments, and Governor Cuomo and the mayor, is you have to stop this and you need to assist us," he said.
Local activist Scott LoBaido posted a video, in which he shamed the community for now showing greater support for the business owners.
WATCH:
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
