A bar in Fort Worth may lose its liquor license for 30 days for opening over Fourth of July weekend.
The owner of Rail Club Live posted a note on Facebook, urging people to come for a "Tea Party protest" Saturday.
"The fact they say bars are more dangerous or high risk than other places, are you kidding me?" Chris Polone told the crowd. "We have just been mandated to wear masks in every single business across the State of Texas, but you can walk into a mega-church right now and not wear a mask at all."
Fort Worth Code Compliance says Polone was notified last week he was required to stay closed, and the agency had notified the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Representatives from the TABC and Department of Public Safety met Polone outside the bar Saturday, warning him that while he would not be arrested, his liquor license may be suspended for 30 days.
Video posted on Rail Club Live's Facebook page shows Polone tell the officer he would not close, but he shook the officer's hand when he went back into the bar. He then tore up a copy of Abbott's order as the crowd inside cheered.
"Now, we wait on the City of Fort Worth. That was the first step. By the way, according to the U.S. Constitution, this piece of paper's worthless," he said.
Polone says the order violated his freedom to assemble, saying he did not charge admission or charge for drinks. He says the event Saturday was a protest.
Polone says he took steps to keep people safe Saturday. He says he spaced tables farther apart, and employees handed out masks to customers as they walked in. Customers were required to wear masks during the event.