Local bar refuses to shutdown, holds dine-in peaceful protest
TRI-CITIES, Wash. — Koko's Bartini in Kennewick is refusing to follow the latest restrictions announced by Governor Jay Inslee.
On November 15th, Inslee announced a four-week statewide set of restrictions in response to the rapid increase of COIVD-19 cases across Washington.
The governor's latest restrictions require restaurants to stop offering indoor dining and only offer patio seating or to-go orders.
Koko's Bartini is planning to continue to offer expanded indoor dining.
They have taken to social media to ask customers to come dine inside, peacefully protest, and bring a protest sign with them. The owner, Dana Slovak, says his business will not comply with the shutdown.
"The crew wants to stay open so we decided we either fight for it or we don't. It is our constitutional right to stay open. This mandate is not constitutional law and we have the right to do this," explained Slovak.
Slovak tells Action News his business is following safety and cleaning measures, and everyone is wearing masks. "I am willing to go to jail for it. We are really sick and tired of the closing, opening, closing stuff and it is impossible for our employees to make any money," said Slovak.
You can read more about the latest measures put in place to contain the spread of COVID here.
