SAN DIEGO — Restaurant owners in San Diego are still pushing back against this week’s court ruling that shut them down again. The on again, off again shut-down of restaurants has frustration levels running high in San Diego County. More and more restaurant owners said they won’t shut down despite the public health order.
“As we all know, some businesses have permanently closed. And we keep seeing people who have worked their whole life for their dream, lose everything overnight,” said Alondra Ruiz, who owns The Village San Diego in North Park.
Dozens of people came out in North Park on Saturday to show their support for struggling restaurant owners who want to stay open.
“There’s people out there right now who says this doesn’t affect me but let me just tell you, unless we stand up, it will affect them,” said one speaker.
Ruiz helped organize the rally.
“We’re not breaking the law. We’re just asking to operate our business safely, following the guidelines that are in place. Give us the opportunity to operate, just like big corporations,” said Ruiz.
After a San Diego Superior Court judge ruled that restaurants could reopen Wednesday, an appeals court ruled just a few days later that the restaurants must close and abide by the public health order.
San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher responded to the ruling, saying, “This is the right decision to protect our communities given the severity of cases and hospitalizations we are experiencing in San Diego County. Everyone should stay home unless it is absolutely essential.”
“We cannot let fear take our dreams away,” Ruiz said at the rally.
Ruiz said everyone has a right to their own views, but the rally was held so more restaurant owners can know how to stand up for themselves.
“The owners I’ve talked to don’t fight back because they don’t know their rights or they’re afraid," said Ruiz.
Ruiz said police have already given her a citation and San Diego County has issued a cease & desist order. She said she’s hired a lawyer and will continue to remain open.