nothin 50 Fitch Shut Down Amid Covid Concern | New Haven Independent

50 Fitch Shut Down Amid Covid Concern

Paul Bass Photo

“You’re the problem!” “I’m the solution!”: Marshal Criscuolo spars with co-owner Monsanto outside Fitch 50 at Monday’s paper-serving.

Prompting accusations of racism from the owner, the city closed down the popular 50 Fitch restaurant and bar and revoked its license after an event that drew an estimated 1,000 people to its parking lot amid restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus.

Carlton Staggers (center) at Monday evening support gathering: “We’re standing by” Monsanto.

City Health Director Maritza Bond and state Marshal Peter Criscuolo served the papers at the Fitch Street establishment late Monday morning.

Maritza and other city officials in a Covid-19 task force had been at the establishment Saturday night when Monsanto’s crew served drinks and chicken to patrons on the outdoor patio and in the parking lot (pictured above).

Officials estimated more than 1,000 people were present. Patrons were charged $10 to enter the lot, which had VIP tents set up. The city towed cars parked illegally on side streets as well.

Building Official Jim Turcio ordered the establishment to shut down the event immediately. I first arrived on-site as part of the inspection conducted by the task force, and witnessed over one thousand patrons at this establishment in violation of the outdoor dining capacity guidelines, State rules for outdoor events, and various health codes,” a city press release quoted Turcio as saying. We spoke to the owners of this establishment and made a request that they shut down immediately, with which they did not comply, and we had no choice but to shut them down as a result of these violations.”

Bond’s order, dated Monday, revokes Monsanto’s license and closes the premises until further notice.

A notice to Monsanto and partner Michael Amato stated the gathering violated state public-health rules issued to stem the spread of Covid-19, as embed by Executive Order 7ZZ as well as state Department of Economic and Community Development rules for large gatherings and events and venues, as well as Title III, Chapter 14 of the New Haven Code of Ordinances. That included requiring attendees to remain six feet apart, ensuring they wear masks, keep outdoor deck seating to 50 percent of allowed capacity, and creating a condition specifically declared to be a public nuisance.”

The order was issued amid concerns about a second wave of Covid-19 cases and deaths stemming from the state’s business reopening.

Monsanto was notified that on Monday Bond would return to serve notice and post signs closing down the establishment.

As Monsanto (pictured) waited for Bond to arrive, she vowed to appeal the closing to the state. She disputed the allegations. She said she did not exceed the capacity for the patio (which would have been around 13 or 25, depending on whether patrons were six feet apart). She denied that she charged for food and drink. Rather, she said, the $10 charged to drivers entering the lot gave them a refundable coupon” for drinks and food. If you’re not going to be drinking or eating food, you have no business being here,” she said.

She claimed she did shut down the food operations as a courtesy to Turcio, my neighbor.”

Echoing arguments from a federal lawsuit she filed against the Elicker administration and the governor earlier this year in protest of Covid-19 restrictions, Monsanto accused the city of discriminating against her club because of its black clientele. She noted that neighbors in Westville fought her opening the club three years ago.

They violated my civil rights,” Monsanto charged. People are allowed to be outside. It was a Juneteenth celebration. It’s no different than Black Lives Matter.”

In Facebook postings, Monsanto cited the crowd of thousands of largely white, unmasked Donald Trump fans who crammed a campaign rally the same evening in Tulsa as an example of a double standard.

Bond and Criscuolo arrived Monday around 11:30 a.m.

Monsanto walked away from Criscuolo as he attempted to serve her with the papers. (See above video.)

Get away from me!” Monsanto declared as they wove around the lot from the patio to the front.

Have a nice day,” Criscuolo, wearing an American flag face mask, responded, continuing pursuit.

Stay away from me! I’m not accepting anything,” Monsanto said. Get off my property! Why you on my property! … You’re part of the problem.”

No, I’m the solution. You’re the problem,” Criscuolo insisted.

You’re the problem!” responded Monsanto.

By that time Bond (pictured) had gone inside and served Amato.

She has no right to touch my wall! That’s an abuse of power! She should be arrested!” Monsanto declared.

She attempted to go inside. Criscuolo sought to prevent her.

Don’t hit me with the door. It’s assault,” he alleged as Monsanto sought to enter.

It’s my establishment.”

Criscuolo flashed his badge. I’ll cuff you,” he threatened.

It’s abuse of power. I have a right to go in my establishment,” Monsanto said.

You closed the door on my foot.”

I didn’t touch him! You guys witnessed that. I didn’t touch you! You guys have it on camera,” Monsanto said, pivoting to reporters.

The health director said not until she posts her signs.”

Bond posted the signs. Monsanto went inside. She and Bond returned outside.

She’s calling me a racist,” Criscuolo, who’s white, complained. Obviously, I’m not.”

Bond (who is Latina) said she wasn’t targeting the establishment because of race, but instead responding to numerous” complaints she received Saturday night, and then what she viewed as a public-health threat.

Bond’s notice orders the establishment to cease and desist all operations immediately.” It also revokes the establishment’s Health Department license.

I want to remind residents of the city that we are still in a pandemic,” a subsequent city release quoted Bond as saying. Taking the necessary health precautions is critical to containing the spread of COVID-19, which continues to pose a serious threat to public health in our community. Nonetheless, this incident revealed this establishment was in clear violation of various health codes, and conditions of zoning approval, not just those related to the restrictions put in place due to the pandemic.”

Monsanto and Amato have a right to appeal by requesting a public hearing before the state Department of Health. Monsanto said to count on it.

Supporters Show Up For Monsanto

Carlton Staggers (center) at Monday evening support gathering: “We’re standing by” Monsanto.

Monday evening, three dozen loyal 50 Fitch patrons showed up in the parking lot beginning at 6 p.m. to show their support for Monsanto.

They echoed Monsanto’s defense and decried disparate treatment of businesses with Black clientele.

We’re standing by her. We’re not going nowhere,” said former Alder Carlton Staggers. She has a heart of gold.”

Before Covid-19, he said, the institution was harassed by neighbors. They don’t want certain people’ because they’re scared something is going to happen.”

Staggers and other attendees spoke of the dearth of food-and-drink spots like 50 Fitch in town that cater to a largely Black clientele. They also spoke about how many other large public gatherings are taking place despite the Covid-19 restrictions.

Several people tied the shutdown order to experiences they face in everyday life of coming under suspicion because of their race.

Monsanto also spoke about President Trump’s campaign rally the same night in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where a largely white, often unmasked crowd thronged for an officially sanctioned event with no social distancing in a city that’s currently a Covid hot spot.

How many were at the Trump rally?” she asked.

The Tulsa Fire Department put the number at 6,200.

Street outreach worker William “Juneboy” Outlaw signs Jason Bartlett’s petition to earn an independent spot on Nov. 3’s State Senate election ballot, at Monday evening’s 50 Fitch gathering.

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