In Williamsburg and Boro Park crowds gathered to protest the closure of stores on Wallabout Street and on 13th Avenue. In Boro Park the scene turned ugly with people screaming at the Deputies, and passersby encouraging the protesters to hold their ground and not disperse, YWN reported.
At the bottom of page are some scenes from the incident.
The Jewish news entity also reported that the NYPD were not exclusively targeting Jewish businesses that defied lock down orders.
The coronavirus crisis has forced more than 100,000 small businesses in New York to close permanently, the governor said Friday.
“Small businesses are taking a real beating,” he said. “They are 90 percent of New York’s businesses and they’re facing the toughest challengers. All but essential businesses have now been closed since New York’s shutdown started on March 22. Millions of former employees are now registered as unemployed, Patch reported
While New York will be launching its own small business relief program, with more than $100 million that it will make available as loans, some proprietors are not waiting for the government to rescue them or totally collapse like thousands have done already.
YWN reported: beginning on Sunday morning, around 200 stores opened in Boro Park, Williamsburg, Flatbush, Monsey and the Five Towns. Many will be opened on Sunday, and others to start on Monday. They will use extreme social distancing, some just curbside service, while others allowing one person at a time into their establishments. The are banded together under the name #ReopenNY
YWN reported: Organizers tell YWN that NY Governor Cuomo and NYC Mayor Deblasio are aware of the movement. The group has lawyers & is well prepared for legal action, including visits by the police.
