Protestors Defy Stay at Home Orders in Agoura Hills
Cronies Sports Grill in Agoura Hills, Calif., where dozens of restaurant-goers are actively defying Southern California stay-at-home orders and restaurant closures. Fri., Dec. 11, 2020. (Johnny Neville / The Corsair).
People gathered at Cronies Sports Grill in Agoura Hills, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 11 to protest L.A. County’s restrictions on outdoor dining and the state’s recent regional stay home order for Southern California. The restaurant chose to defy the orders and keep the Agoura Hills location open for outdoor dining, attracting crowds of customers and protestors. This comes after a larger gathering of similar nature on Monday, Dec. 7, the first day that the stay home order went into effect.
Nathan Hamburger, Agoura Hills City Manager, released a statement on Tuesday, Dec. 8, describing the consequences of the health code violations made by Cronies Sports Grill. These include citations and fees by the county, a revoking of their Health Permit and permit for expanded outdoor dining, and possible effects on their alcohol license.
A protestor outside Cronies Sports Grill shows off their sign to passersby, resisting the Southern California stay home orders. Agoura Hills, Calif., on Fri., Dec. 11, 2020. (Johnny Neville / The Corsair).
A GoFundMe has been started to support Cronies and help pay the L.A. County fines, and has raised over $5200 as of Sunday, Dec. 13. Comments left on the GoFundMe page describe their frustration and opinions on the stay home orders and their effects on restaurants and small businesses. One commenter, Randall Swanson, wrote, “I support small business and #resist these unconstitutional and illegal lock downs being imposed by authoritarian power hungry hypocrites!”.
Cronies Sports Grill has released updates on their social media platforms, thanking their supporters and reminding everyone to wear masks, maintain social distancing, respect the community, and support small businesses.
