‘My business is hurting because of this freaking curfew,’ protester at Alamo says

Curfew opponents gather at Alamo Cenotaph Nov. 28, 2020/KTSA Photo-Elizabeth Ruiz

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) – Nearly a hundred curfew opponents gathered at the Alamo Cenotaph on a damp, chilly Saturday night to voice their objection to the latest COVID-19 restrictions prohibiting social gatherings from 10 pm to 5 a.m. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff imposed the curfew which went into effect Thanksgivingj night and continues through 5 a.m. Monday.

Members of This is Texas Freedom Force led a rally at 10:30 pm at the Cenotaph in defiance of the curfew while tourists and other visitors strolled through Alamo Plaza, taking photos in front of the Shrine of Texas Liberty and the Christmas tree. San Antonio police officers on bicycles and in patrol cars nearby watched the crowd, but issued no citations.

“Nirenberg, we’ll dare you to come out here and try to issue us a ticket, and I guarantee you, that thousand dollars is just going to be a drop in the bucket, compared to what we’ll do when we sue the hell out of the city of San Antonio, “ TITFF President Brandon Burkhart told the crowd. “I double-dog dare you.”

Brandon Burkhart, President of This is Texas Freedom Force, addresses curfew opponents at the Alamo Cenotaph, Nov. 28, 2020/KTSA Photo-Elizabeth Ruiz

Britt Brown, owner of Rocky’s Tavern, said Thanksgiving nights are usually busy, but last Thursday was a bust because her place was forced to close at 10 pm under the mayor’s amended Public Health Safety Orders. She also missed an opportunity to make big money Saturday night during the Mike Tyson/Roy Jones fight.

“We could have shown the fight, but guess what—all of my customers are in other counties, drinking and watching that fight,” said Brown. “My business is hurting because of this freaking curfew.”

Graham Landry said the demonstration was in defiance of government overreach.

“This is not a protest. This is a social gathering,” said Landry. “Please, Ron Nirenberg, come and fine me. I want you to write it yourself and I want to see the look on your face when I eat it.”

Following the rally and speeches, participants listened to music and chatted near the Cenotaph before walking to Travis Park, waving flags and holding signs opposing the curfew. The gathering continued after midnight.