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With a number of Democrat-run states beginning to lockdown again in response to a surge in COVID-19, even dictating what people can do in the privacy of their homes ahead of the coming holidays, more and more Americans are getting fed up with the authoritarianism on display.
Nowhere has this been more apparent than at an Orchard Park gym in Buffalo, New York, where a video that has gone viral capturing business owners demanding local “health inspectors” leave a property.
Escorted by deputies from the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, officials from the county Health Department showed up at Athletes Unleashed, where over 100 local business owners had gathered to brainstorm ways to get through the Orange Zone lockdown restrictions that just went into effect, WGRZ 2 reported.
With Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people, the officials were there to break up the meeting, but it didn’t go well for them as they ran into a wall of defiance, with someone calling out, “This is private property. You’re not wanted here.”
“Go get a warrant,” the officials are told in the video, and the business owners call in the authorities to have some compassion for people who are losing everything they have worked their whole lives for.
Those gathered began chanting “get out, get out,” as the health department officials and deputies exited the gym.
Robby Dinero, a former Marine who owns the gym, told the NBC affiliate he called the meeting as a protest of the harsh restrictions being implemented for a second time.
“I am a local business owner. My business is now shut down for the second time, so I posted on Facebook that anybody that wanted to fight back, any other business owners that wanted to learn how we could fight back against New York State, could join me for a protest at my gym,” Dinero said.
More on the restriction now in place from The Buffalo News:
New York State has shuttered what it describes as “high-risk” businesses, including gyms, barbershops and hair salons in areas of Erie County designated as an “orange zone.” Indoor dining has also been banned at restaurants and bars, which already have to stop serving everything but takeout food by 10 p.m.
The video was taken by blogger Tim Walton, who also shared comments from one business owner who wished to remain anonymous.
“We are struggling. Our livelihoods have been taken. Our income has been controlled. Our freedoms have been taken away and many of us are about to lose everything we’ve worked for and they want us to sit there and not stand up?” the individual said.
“How can they tell you to close your business, then argue that you can’t even meet to come up with ways to survive — and meanwhile there’s no help from the government and very few elected officials even standing up for businesses and it’s starting to be noticed,” he added.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz commented on the incident Saturday.
“Yeah, I got copies of the videos that were sent out. I know that there was a planned gathering at a location,” he told WBEN. “And then based on our health department rules — and we are supposed to follow, because it was a mass gathering — I believe they went out with sheriff’s deputies to let them know that would be in violation with the rules.”
Poloncarz tweeted a statement Saturday saying a protest was being planned near his home on Sunday, denouncing the “despicable” manner in which people are referring to the restriction in place.
As for defiance, Poloncarz wrote, “If the people behind this planned protest think this will weaken our resolve to protect the public from the Coronavirus they are wrong.”
I am aware of a loud protest planned for tomorrow (11/22) at 9:30 am to target my house and my immediate neighborhood. I am posting this now so my neighbors are aware.
Please read my statement on this and their despicable reference to "internment camps" and "dress up as slaves." pic.twitter.com/0itDFwrDYo
— Mark Poloncarz (@markpoloncarz) November 21, 2020
For what it’s worth, the county executive appeared to endorse doxxing the person who organized the protest.
It's disgusting but better to ID them than resort to their level and ruin their neighbors day.
— Mark Poloncarz (@markpoloncarz) November 21, 2020
Here’s a sampling of responses from Twitter capturing the level of frustration people are beginning to experience — it’s noteworthy that the Declaration of Independence is referenced as some fall back on the struggle colonists went through in the lead up to the American Revolution.
This is insane. I sympathize with law enforcement, but it’s time for them to take a stand. You’re either with the bureaucrats or with the rest of us. Things like this are going to continue to happen. It’s good to see that Americans are finally willing to stand up.
— CTW (@ctwilliamsiii) November 21, 2020
If we can ignore the laws against illegal immigration why can’t we ignore the laws for masks and gatherings? Why are some laws blatantly ignored while others are heavily enforced?
— President-Elect KC (@Mom4Faith) November 21, 2020
Its heartbreaking to watch this. These people just want to work and survive. It’s their God-given right to make a living.
— MacroDonalds (@esbjedi) November 21, 2020
It’s only a matter of time that severe violence is going to break out in regard to these lockdowns.
— David Vaughn (@ReviewsDavid) November 21, 2020
“He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation…” —Declaration of Independence
I feel bad for them somewhat, but they have a duty to resist.
— Jon Brown (@JonBrownDC) November 22, 2020
It’s time. pic.twitter.com/gAgk9ICDXr
— Will Ricciardella (@WillRicci) November 22, 2020
For the last 6 months I have been waiting for Americans to stand up emphatically and say “enough”!
When tens of thousands of rioters can assault people across the US w/no consequences yet I can’t eat a dinner with friends and family in my home without an arrest something is off.
— Jonathan David (@Jonatha69023287) November 21, 2020
People are beginning to reach that breaking point man!!!!😬 Things gonna get real sketchy of they try another full lock down.
Hell in in Ohio and they did a curfew after 10pm. PPL intentionally just driving and walking around post 10pm for the fuck of it.— CLtheGREAT!! (@Cbailey5720) November 22, 2020
It’s not code enforcement, these are not laws, they are dictates and mandates not passed legally by a legislature , but whims of a King.
— No Guardrails (@pickleicu812) November 22, 2020
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