BUFFALO (WBEN) - The bar on Hertel Avenue that has been at the center of two recent incidents during protests will be closed for the foreseeable future.
The owners of MT Pockets on Hertel Avenue agreed to voluntarily close their establishment while an investigation into the unruly conduct and violations of the governor's executive orders are underway.
Tuesday evening's incident was the second problem involving protesters on Hertel in a four-day span. Last Friday, Michael Cremen of Franklinville approached protesters, used racist language and brandished a knife before being charged with harassment and menacing on Monday.
"We have to, as a community, always stand up and say, 'no,' to those racists and bigots who try to make it appear like they represent our community, our society, and they do not," said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. "No one will deny that there are racists and bigots out there because there are. Unfortunately, they live in our community just like they live in every community across the United States."
Poloncarz said that MT Pockets was previously cited on June 30 by the Department of Health for failure to comply with the mask requirement set forth by New York State. He added that multiple videos from Tuesday evening's incident show a lack of adherence to mask and social distancing guidelines.
Racial slurs were hurled at Black LIves Matter protesters marching along Hertel Tuesday.