(VIDEO) Authorities Shut Down Virginia Business Two Years After Violating COVID Policy, Veteran Owner Films Tyranny

On Friday, Virginia state sheriff’s deputies and police entered an establishment owned by Matt Strickland, an Iraq War veteran.

Strickland is also a candidate for state senator in Virginia.

He owns Gourmeltz, a restaurant in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Strickland refused to close his business and bow to COVID tyranny.

He had to provide for his family and didn’t want to lose his restaurant.

The police came to his establishment on Friday to shut him down.

Strickland filmed his encounter with the cops enforcing COVID tyranny.

“Help me end this tyranny folks. No longer can you comply to stay comfortable,” Strickland wrote on Twitter.

“Fight back no matter the cost and help me save our country.”

WATCH:

Help me end this tyranny folks. No longer can you comply to stay comfortable. Fight back no matter the cost and help me save our country. 🇺🇸#standwithstrickland https://t.co/t7s70ZwICl

— Matt Strickland (@MattForVA) December 5, 2022

The 39-year-old U.S. Army veteran refused to comply with mask mandates, social distancing, and other mandates by continuing to operate the restaurant even with his food and alcohol licenses suspended by the state.

💯 The owner of @Gourmeltz, @MattForVA; 39-year-old U.S. Army veteran, refused to comply with mask, social distancing and other mandates by continuing to operate the restaurant even with his food and alcohol licenses suspended by the state. #ampFW https://t.co/OY5XyFvBEt

— FreedomWorks (@FreedomWorks) December 3, 2022

Strickland had every right to run his business in the face of unlawful mandates.

If every business owner stood up in this manner, the American people would have squashed COVID tyranny in no time.

The Free Lance-Star reported:

The Virginia Alcohol and Beverage Control raided a Spotsylvania County restaurant Friday morning to execute a search warrant alleging the business has been selling alcohol without a license.

The owner of Gourmeltz, Matt Strickland, has battled the state since 2020, claiming the COVID rules implemented by the state during the pandemic were unconstitutional. He refused to comply with mask, social distancing and other mandates ordered by then-Gov. Ralph Northam by continuing to operate the restaurant even with his food and alcohol licenses suspended by the state.

99.9% Fine Silver MAGA Collector Coins!

In January 2021, the Virginia Department of Health suspended Gourmeltz’s health permit. The restaurant has stayed open while the case meandered through the court system.

The health department eventually dropped its case, but the Virginia Alcohol and Beverage Control continued with its case.

The department served a court order November 14 suspending the restaurant’s license for 90 days following a court ruling affirming the restaurant violated the state’s COVID-19 emergency restrictions at the height of the pandemic.

Strickland, who is campaigning for the area’s 27th District State Senate seat, said at the time that he would continue to sell alcohol at the restaurant.

The 39-year-old U.S. Army veteran also said at the time that he was willing to go to jail.

In a Friday statement, the Virginia ABC said it was executing the search warrant for “records and information related to possession of alcoholic beverages without a license, maintaining a common nuisance and the illegal sale of alcoholic beverages” because “the establishment failed to comply with ABC’s Board Order and continued to serve beer, wine and mixed beverages to customers.”