Tonight, about 35 patrons of Norfolk’s Hershee Bar appeared before a regularly scheduled City Council meeting to express their dismay regarding the sale of the property and impending closure of the bar.
The group obtained a permit for First Amendment lawful assembly from the City and congregated on the steps of City Hall for an hour prior to the City Council meeting.
Said organizer Jennifer Alomari, “We’re here for one reason only, and that is to ask the City do something to save our home. I’ve been to Stonewall Inn, and the Hershee Bar is my Stonewall,. I’ll do anything to keep it from closing.”
At 6:15, the group was escorted to Council Chambers by former Interim City Councilperson Nicole Carry and made their remarks about 45 minutes into the meeting.
Councilwoman Mamie Johnson from Ward 3 in which the Hershee Bar is located was the only member of Council absent. In addition, the Council ironically approved the sale of a defunct Norfolk fire station on West Little Creek Road to the owners of Razzo Restaurant for $5,000 on the condition that the owners renovate and rehabilitate it as a second location.
Here are their remarks as well as Councilmember remarks at 1hour, 38 minutes. without edit. ADVISORY: Get the tissues ready.
