A judge ruled that a New York City bar had the right to kick out a patron who wore a Make American Great Again cap so Kanye might want to take heed.
The Trump supporter, Greg Piatek, sued after the bar refused to serve him in 2017 because of his bright red MAGA hat, reports Fox News
“Anyone who supports Trump – or believes in what you believe – is not welcome here! And you need to leave right now because we won’t serve you!” Piatek claims the staff of The Happiest Hour told him.
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But state law does not protect people’s political beliefs, therefore Piatek’s discrimination claim didn’t hold up in court. A Manhattan judge sided with The Happiest Hour.
“Supporting Trump is not a religion,” said the Happiest Hour attorney Elizabeth Conway.
Paul Liggieri, Piatek’s attorney tried to connect wear the hat to Piatek’s religions since religion is protected under state law.
“The purpose of the hat is that he wore it because he was visiting the 9/11 Memorial. The Make America Great Again hat was part of his spiritual belief,” Liggieri claimed. “Rather than remove his hat, instead he held true to his spiritual belief and was forced from the bar,” Liggieri told Justice David Cohen, the Post reported.
The judged asked about Piatek’s spiritual claims:
“How many members are in this spiritual program that your client is engaged in?” the judge asked.
“Your honor, we don’t allege the amount of individuals,” Liggieri said.
“So, it’s a creed of one?” the judge asked.
“Yes, your honor,” Liggieri replied, the Post reported.
Nice try, but no dice.
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The judge called the bar’s diss to Piatek a “petty slight” and dismissed the case.
“Plaintiff does not state any faith-based principle to which the hat relates,” Judge Cohen said. “Here the claim that plaintiff was not served and eventually escorted out of the bar because of his perceived support for President Trump is not outrageous conduct.”
Given Kanye has been posting his unadulterated support for President Trump on social media and even posting photos wearing the signature MAGA hat the rapper may want to steer clear of The Happiest Hour.
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