Dave Morris, like so many Americans across the country, is a business owner struggling to survive under draconian COVID-19 restrictions.
When he saw Tarvarious Haywood of News Channel 3 about to do a live hit, he came up behind him to vent his frustrations.
“My government leaders have abandoned me,” said the owner of D&R Daily Grind in Michigan, adding that stimulus money did not go to support people like him.
Morris has defied a ban on indoor dining in the state and opened his restaurant on Nov. 27, according to News Channel 3.
He also reportedly dismissed a cease and desist letter from the Kalamazoo County health department.
“They’ve put me in a position where I have to fight back,” he said. “This isn’t a state order…this is a tyranny.”
He advised other restaurant owners to “wake up, stand up, this is America, be free.”
You can either be on this guy’s side or on the side of the tyrants who rule us. I know which side I choose.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) December 3, 2020
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Morris is facing a 1,000 per day fine for defying state orders.
This is Dave Morris, the owner of D&R Daily Grind in Portage, Michigan. He is being fined 1000 dollars a day. If you live anywhere in the vicinity of his restaurant, give him your business. He's taking a stand and needs our support. https://t.co/fJHfHKcjS7
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) December 3, 2020
"The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Associations filed a lawsuit to stop the order, but a federal judge ruled on Dec. 2, 2020, that restaurants can’t open safely and successfully," News Channel 3 reported, a move the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services praised.
“These protocols on specific indoor gatherings, along with wearing face masks, social distancing and frequent handwashing, give Michigan a fact-based approach to slow the spread of COVID-19 so we can return to a strong economy and get back to normal safely as soon as we can," the agency said.