NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A Staten Island bar that declared itself an “autonomous zone” was shut down and one of its owners led away in handcuffs on Tuesday night for defying city and state COVID orders.
Mac’s Public House in the Grant City neighborhood had been ignoring mandates to close indoor dining. The pub is in a COVID orange zone, where indoor dining is prohibited under rules set by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Co-owner Danny Presti was taken away in handcuffs around 7:30 p.m. as NYC Sheriff deputies descended on the bar.
Presti was later released. His attorney said he’ll be charged with disorderly conduct and trespassing.
Video posted by the bar shows deputies inside, while Citizen App video shows a crowd gathering outside as authorities move in.
In a statement Tuesday night, the city said, “COVID-19 doesn't respect autonomous zones, and neither does the Sheriff. There are consequences for endangering your neighbors in a pandemic.”
Presti and co-owner Keith McAlarney have received support from residents and other business owners.
A sign outside Mac’s Public House reads, “We hereby declare this establishment an AUTONOMOUS ZONE!”
The owners hadn’t backed down despite a cease-and-desist order, daily fines of $1,000 and the suspension of their state liquor license.
The bar had continued to serve food and beverages to patrons inside for free, while asking for donations, ever since the new orange zone rules went into effect late week.
An outraged crowd chanted outside the bar Tuesday night. State Sen. Andrew Lanza showed up and tried to calm the crowd.
“This order simply says that they need to cease and desist,” Lanza said. “Nowhere here is there an arrest warrant and nowhere here is anything about arresting anyone on their private property.”
In a YouTube video Tuesday night, McAlarney called on “patriots” to come support the bar on Wednesday evening.
“Shame on you f***ing people. Shame on you for letting this happen,” McAlarney said in the video.