On Monday, the city’s mayor dined at North Shepherd Drive’s Miller’s Cafe, supporting the restaurant where employees stated they only followed the rules set by the state of Texas.
The restaurant was targeted by protesters over the weekend after customers were upset to have been told they had to wear a face mask inside the business.
An eyewitness who recorded the demonstration in front of the business recalled the chants expressed by the group.
“They were singing, ‘My body, my choice.’ Something along the line. ‘No mask,'” said Douglas Lopez, who made a video of the protest.
WATCH: Raw video of the protest in front of the Houston cafe
While inside the restaurant to lend his business, Turner called the protesters a different term from the protesters.
“People protesting and protesting Miller coffee because they were asked to put on a mask are harassers,” Turner said. “This nonsense has to stop. Put on your mask, the pandemic is still very big here.”
According to Miller’s manager, Jessica Beer, facial masks were offered to the customers in question.
“We asked them to put on a mask and they tried to say they had health issues and they didn’t need to wear masks. We said yes. We tried to give them masks and that’s when they started singing ‘Boycott Miller’s.’ “recalled the beer.
She added, “We didn’t get it. Why us? You know everyone has a sign. It doesn’t even depend on us. It depends on the state.”
Restaurant customers across the state are forced to cover their faces in an attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19, a mandate that has sparked similar protests elsewhere over the past year.
RELATED: Masks out! Protesters claim the order of face mask is unconstitutional
In September, an online video was circulated about a protest at a Florida Target store where participants demanded that customers remove their masks.
While mask warrants are maintained, the application in Houston has not arrived with widespread fines or documented warnings, according to a records check in November.
“I don’t think it’s our number one priority,” Art Acevedo, Houston’s police chief, explained at the time. “As you can imagine, we’re trying to focus on violent crime, but it’s something you’re subject to a $ 250 quote.”
SEE ALSO: No one gets tickets for violating the mask’s mandate in Houston
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