Long Island small business owners resist shutdowns, hold protest rally on New Year's Eve

Small business owners in Long Island, New York's service industry, are holding protests New Year's Eve against the shutdown mandates that are killing many of their businesses, News 12 Long Island reports.

"Guess what everybody’s going to do tonight if they can’t go to their local establishment and allow us to support our families … they’re going to gather at home," small business owner Jennifer Harrison told the local Long Island outlet.

"We are gathering in protest of these absurd policies," she continued.

Harrison organized a rally of local business owners, including bar and restaurant owners, who are currently hurting from the government enforced lockdowns. The rally is being held at the Ronkonkoma train station from 10 pm until midnight, according to News 12.

Local Dave Lotito says that the data shows that restaurants should be able to reopen safely. "If the science and the data proves that the spread is not being caused by the service industry, the restaurants and bars, then why aren’t we lifting the restrictions," Lotito said.

Another local, George Gallo, who is a comedian, echoes a similar sentiment. "There are no solutions to help these people running these small businesses," Gallo said.