KEY POINTS

  • Texas bar owners claim “Bar Lives Matter” and launched a lawsuit against Gov. Greg Abbott
  • Abbott ordered the re-closure of bars effective June 26 as new COVID-19 cases rise
  • The lawsuit stated Abbott singled out bar owners and violated their rights, per the state’s constitution

A group of Texas bar owners, who protested that "Bar Lives Matter" in front of the capitol building Tuesday (June 30), filed a lawsuit against Gov. Greg Abbott for forcing the closure of their businesses amid the increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in the state.

Citing that they have been unfairly singled out, the bar owners said in the lawsuit that allowing other businesses to open, while bars have to shut down, is a violation of the state's constitution.

The group's lawyers want a judge to block the governor's order and reopen Texas bars to allow its workers to earn their paycheck and feed their families.

"Governor Abbott can claim all day that the legislature gave him broad powers. However, those powers that Abbott claims to have, whatever they may be, cannot supersede the Texas Constitution," the lawsuit stated.

Texas bar owner Tee Allen Parker is one of 21 bar owners suing Abbott. She has been frustrated by the coronavirus lockdown in March but welcomed the reopening of businesses a few months later.

While Texas was one of the first states to reopen in America, Abbott reversed the relaxed restrictions via an executive order issued Friday (June 26). Prior to forcing bars to close again, hospitalization due to COVID-19 rose to 5,100, with 363 new hospitalizations on the day Abbott made his announcement.

“As I said from the start, if the positivity rate rose above 10%, the State of Texas would take further action,” the governor said. “At this time, it is clear that the rise in cases is largely driven by certain types of activities, including Texans congregating in bars.”

alcoholic-beverages-1845295_1920
Bar owners are suing Gov. Greg Abbott for closing their businesses again as COVID-19 cases rise in Texas. Pexels/Pixabay

Parker and her group regard the backpedaling as discrimination, and they blame the governor for it.

"This is one individual making draconian decisions that have destroyed the Texas economy," Houston lawyer Jared Woodfill said.

But on Sunday (June 28), Parker hosted a "Bar Lives Matter" event to raise money for the workers and bar owners who will have to stop their businesses again. She also asked to have a one-on-one with the governor but has not yet received Abbott's reply.

Meanwhile, seven bar owners in Texas received a 30-day liquor license suspension for ignoring Abbott's orders as of Monday.

RELATED STORIES
Coronavirus