Climate
Action RI enjoys dinner at Amigos
Taqueria Y Tequila, restaurant condemned by state Senator Elaine Morgan
By Steve
Ahlquist in UpRiseRI
Over twenty people,
mostly members of Climate Action Rhode Island (CARI) but also members of many other activist groups in
Rhode Island, enjoyed dinner in Westerly Friday evening at Amigos Taqueria Y Tequila, the restaurant targeted by
Rhode Island State Senator Elaine Morgan (Republican,
District 34, Charlestown, Exeter Hopkinton, Richmond, West Greenwich).
Morgan took exception to
the staff wearing tee shirts that said, “86 45” on the eve of
the midterm elections this year and encouraged a boycott of the restaurant. As
a result, the restaurant has become the target of racist bullying, harassment
and threats.
Morgan claims to believe
that the term “86” is synonymous with assassinate, as if the employees of this
restaurant were calling for the assassination of President Trump, but obviously
the term is common restaurant slang for “no longer available,” “cancel” or “get
rid of.” (See item #3 at this link.)
As a result of Morgan’s
call for a boycott, the restaurant had to suspend their social media, and even
turn of their phones. Financially, the restaurant and the employees have taken
quite a hit.
On my visit to the
restaurant to cover the CARI event, I had a chicken burrito, which was
fantastic. I highly encourage everyone who is able to visit this restaurant.
The food is great, the restaurant is clean and the service was top notch.
Since it might not be
immediately obvious why a group dedicated to climate action would be interested
in defending a small restaurant in Westerly. Here’s CARI’s statement
explaining:
“The climate crisis poses an
existential threat to humanity and Rhode Island in particular, and our survival
depends on taking bold action. Climate Action Rhode Island is committed to this
action, by regularly advocating for legislation in the State House, performing
peaceful demonstrations, facilitating public education, and endorsing political
candidates.
“We were deeply disturbed to hear
that State Senator Elaine Morgan had called for the boycott of Amigos Taqueria
& Tequila Restaurant, for exercising their right to free speech in openly
opposing the President, whose lackluster environmental policies and outright
denial of the scientific truth of climate change are contributing to the
destruction of life on our planet.
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| 2 Canal Street in Westerly |
"We were shocked to learn about the harassment that
the owner and staff have endured over the last few weeks, and the cost in
emotional stress and thousands of dollars spent to ensure everyone’s safety, as
a result of the harassment by an elected official.
“In a world so deeply divided,
Senator Morgan should be ashamed of herself for causing so much harm to a small
business and her constituents. We support Amigo’s right to political
expression, and their opposition to Trump. In this time of political turmoil
and looming environmental disaster, we must stand together in solidarity with
those willing to speak up for what is right.”