On July 25th , over 800 bars across Texas opened their doors in a unified protest named "Freedom Fest" despite the mandate to remain closed. Gov. Greg Abbott announced businesses whose sales were 51% or more alcohol were to close to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, this appears to be a double standard when compared to restaurants that are allowed to continue including their bars.
One of the leaders of this fight is Chris Palone, owner of The Rail Club in Fort Worth. Over the past several years Chris had sacrificed to make his dream reality. The Rail Club has become home to many of the Heavy Metal community. When Gov. Abbott mandated that his business close he was not offered any relief or restitution. And unlike any the neighboring restaurants, he was not given any opportunity to adjust his business to remain open.
"We're in a position to where we're starving ourselves out, so we don't have a choice but to stand up,” Polone said.
"From the outside looking in by reading the headlines, it just looks like we're a bunch of ticked off bar owners. Don't get me wrong. We are ticked off bar owners. But that's not what we're trying to show," he said. "We're trying to show that we can open up safely, and what Greg Abbott said about us being the cause of the spread and the spike of COVID-19 is completely not true."
So for the second time since the mandate he opened his doors in protest. (The first time led to his liquor license being revoked despite the fact that he did not serve any alcohol.) While opening their doors in "Freedom Fest" each establishment followed uniform safety procedures including operating at 25% capacity, checking temperatures at the door and requiring patrons to remain at their tables. These requirements go above and beyond what’s being required by both federal and state agencies for restaurants.
One of the leaders of this fight is Chris Palone, owner of The Rail Club in Fort Worth. Over the past several years Chris had sacrificed to make his dream reality. The Rail Club has become home to many of the Heavy Metal community. When Gov. Abbott mandated that his business close he was not offered any relief or restitution. And unlike any the neighboring restaurants, he was not given any opportunity to adjust his business to remain open.
"We're in a position to where we're starving ourselves out, so we don't have a choice but to stand up,” Polone said.
"From the outside looking in by reading the headlines, it just looks like we're a bunch of ticked off bar owners. Don't get me wrong. We are ticked off bar owners. But that's not what we're trying to show," he said. "We're trying to show that we can open up safely, and what Greg Abbott said about us being the cause of the spread and the spike of COVID-19 is completely not true."
So for the second time since the mandate he opened his doors in protest. (The first time led to his liquor license being revoked despite the fact that he did not serve any alcohol.) While opening their doors in "Freedom Fest" each establishment followed uniform safety procedures including operating at 25% capacity, checking temperatures at the door and requiring patrons to remain at their tables. These requirements go above and beyond what’s being required by both federal and state agencies for restaurants.
Even the health code officials that came to inspect the property before the show confirmed that he was following guidelines and gave their approval to continue. See this link for confirmation: https://www.facebook.com/standforsomethingpromotions/videos/4680325635371477/UzpfSTE3Njk1NzYzMDY1MjEyMjA6MjE3NjczMzY3NTgwNTQ3OQ/?epa=SEARCH_BOX
As of today, the fight continues. “Our businesses are doomed,” said co-owner Chris Polone. His intent is not to spit on everyone's face or the government but to address the double standard that is in place due to restaurants and other businesses allowed to stay open. "Like I said before, we have nothing to lose. We can either fight this thing, Or we can starve ourselves out.“I’m responsible for 15 employees’ ability to feed their children and that’s big, that’s a huge burden, and I don’t see any other way to do it than to do this,” he said.
Well, all we can say is Thank You Chris Palone for fighting. Long Live The Rail!
Photos from The Rail Club's Freedom Fest and Fourth of July Protest: