Credit: Lisa Monet
Vandals have reportedly vandalized the exterior of a Lakeville bar that continues to defy governments Tim Walz’s indoor shutdown, aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19.
Lisa Monet Zarza, owner of Alibi Drinkery, posted video of graffiti messages distributed in the building in downtown Lakeville. The messages are vulgar in nature, most using Nazi references and at least two condemning President Donald Trump.
“This is what happens when you get up. We have surveillance cameras. Descriptions of all 3 vehicles involved. 6 suspects, all in hoods and masks. 5 men, 1 woman. If you look at the label work, they follow certain political commitments.” Zarza wrote on Facebook.
Vandals were also hit by Alibi Drinkery’s neighbor, Angry Inch Brewing, who decided to close on Sunday. Angry Inch has not reopened its doors for indoor service, so it is unclear whether the vandals deliberately targeted the brewery or that it was directly next door in the same building.
“We need a mental and physical interruption,” reads Angry Inch’s Facebook post. “We plan to be back for delivery next Wednesday.”
Alibi Drinkery reported the vandalism after weeks of violating Walz’s executive order and even combating a lawsuit filed by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and a district judge’s order to close.
A contempt of trial is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, and if Alibi Drinkery can get a fine, he should be forced to pay the state’s attorney’s fees. Zarza could be in jail.
“I do not want to seek this sanction, but I can not allow this institution to prolong Minnesota’s pain,” Ellison said in a Dec. 31 news release. ‘Almost all Minnesota businesses are fulfilling their responsibility to their communities to stop the spread of COVID-19, but this institution is challenging the court and the community and risking the lives of Minnesotans.
“Minnesotans have thousands of options to enchant safe, community-oriented restaurants and bars this New Year’s weekend. I encourage them to thank the businesses for their business, ‘Ellison added.