A Minnesota business owner is refusing to close her bar under new coronavirus restrictions despite warnings from local law enforcement.
Larvita McFarquhar, a single mother and owner of Havens Garden bar in Lynd, Minnesota, says she refuses to “agree with these outrageous demands” made by the state’s Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, according to Daily Mail.
“No person in power has the authority to shut down a business for no reason, and pick and choose who can stay open and who cannot,” McFarquar told Minnesota’s Alpha News. “For me, it’s [about] taking a stand. We always want other people to do things, but it’s time that we the people stand up and say, ‘No, we’re not going to agree with these outrageous demands.’”
McFarquhar says she was warned by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Department that she will be violating the coronavirus restriction, to which she reportedly responded, “Yes, I’m aware, but are you aware that the governor’s mandate is not a law? The governor does not pass laws and you are supposed to uphold the Constitution. You don’t work for the governor, you work for us.”
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office has gotten involved as well and reportedly sent the bar owner a letter telling her that the state has the right to fine her $25,000 for each violation of the shutdown order.
“As the chief legal officer for the State of Minnesota, the Attorney General has authority to file a civil enforcement action seeking injunctive relief and civil penalties of up to $25,000 for each and every occurrence Executive Order 20-99 is violated, as well as its attorney’s fees and costs,” The letter said.
McFarquhar wrote on Facebook this week that she will open the day after Thanksgiving and criticized local officials for trying to shut her down.
“What does it say about our country, and Governor Walz when he uses our Sherrifs department, Attorney General and our citizens to harass, threaten, bully, intimidate, coerce with fines, litigation fees, loss of licenses, and jail time for wanting to be open,” McFarquhar wrote. “They are not going after hardened criminals, they are going after our small BUSINESSES! Thank you to everyone who is standing with me. Please feel free to share.”
