White supremacists and other hate groups visiting Washington, D.C., this weekend for the second Unite The Right rally will be barred from eating at some restaurants in the city, while other eateries plan to close altogether.
Several local business owners told The Washingtonian that concerns for their staffs’ safety prompted the decisions to refuse service or shut down for the weekend.
{mosads}“Our mentality is we’re going to protect each other. This is our city. Our house. Our people,” Founding Farmers owner Dan Simons told the website. Simons owns three restaurants in the city that will all refuse service to anyone wearing white supremacist or neo-Nazi apparel this weekend.
“There are times when a guest can be rude to an employee and you swap out the server. We’ve told our team: this isn’t what that is. You don’t have to be in a room with someone who’s advocating for your death and enslavement,” he added.
Ellen Kassoff Gray, owner of Equinox restaurant near the White House, also said she would refuse service to members of hate groups as well.
“I’ll proudly stay open and serve those who’re respectful and kind. But being a Jewish restaurant owner and having a pro-Nazi group come to town, would I refuse service? Yes, I would,” Kassoff Gray told The Washingtonian.
Alan Popovsky, owner of Lincoln restaurant as well as several other establishments in the area, said that Lincoln will serve Sunday brunch then close for dinner altogether.
Organizer Jason Kessler plans to host the rally in D.C. on Sunday, the anniversary of the deadly protest in Charlottesville, Va.
President Trump faced heavy criticism after the violence last year when he blamed “both sides” for the violence that left dozens injured and one woman dead.