A Sault Ste. Marie bar and eatery received a visit from police and a health inspector this weekend after its social media account promoted what is being widely perceived by the public as an anti-masking event.
Algoma Public Health has confirmed that a health inspector and officers with Sault Ste. Marie Police Service attended The Harp Bar & Grill Saturday evening, after a post promoting a weekly event dubbed ‘Fight For Your Rights Fridays’ surfaced on the bar’s Facebook page Friday.
“Stand up and rise, raise your glass to having no fear! [Because] you know you can’t die from a COVID lie,” reads the post. “Unmask, relax and enjoy a cold beer.”
“Education was provided, and APH and local law enforcement partners will continue follow-up monitoring to ensure compliance and conduct progressive enforcement where required,” reads an email response from Algoma Public Health.
The controversial social media post garnered nearly 600 comments and more than 300 shares as of Monday morning. The majority of the comments are overwhelmingly negative.
“I’ll be making a call first thing Monday morning to Algoma Public Health, I won’t ever support your business,” reads one comment. “This is by far one of the most idiotic things I’ve read... your actions and words... are going to close you, not COVID.”
Angie Perri, owner and operator of The Harp Bar & Grill, responded to SooToday’s request to interview the author of the post Saturday.
Perri told SooToday the post was authored by her son, John Perri Jr. She maintains that her son is in no way affiliated with her establishment.
“I don’t look on the internet,” Perri said. “I don’t do internet, I don’t post anything, I don’t do Facebook.”
SooToday asked Perri if she agreed with her son's post.
“No comment. I didn’t ask him to do it. It’s not my idea, and I have no comment about that,” she replied. “I’m just doing what I have to do, and that’s it.”
Perri says all COVID-19 guidelines are being followed at the Pine Street pub.
“Somebody didn’t like me, and didn’t like the post – they send police officer. Doesn’t matter. I don’t do anything wrong,” said Perri. “I’m good to go, and people they don’t like? Well, there’s nothing I can do, right?”
Another post appeared on the bar’s social media page Sunday, promoting a ‘Fight For your Rights Fridays’ event Dec. 25.
