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77-Year-Old Barber Who Kept Shop Open Despite Lockdown Orders Had His License Reinstated
77-year-old Karl Manke, the barber in Owosso, Mich. who kept his shop open despite Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s lockdown orders, has had his license reinstated.
His license was suspended on May 13th. It was reinstated on Monday when the state started allowing barbershops and salons to reopen.
“I am pleased with the orders issued today to reinstate my licenses so I can continue to move forward,” Manke said in a statement. “I still believe it is high time for all of Michigan to Stand Up, Open Up for business, and for all the people in our community to Show Up in support.”
Fox News reported that Manke was also cited “at least twice” for keeping his shop open during lockdown. For this, he also received a misdemeanor charge.
The Michigan Supreme Court sided with Manke last week.
In a unanimous 7-0 decision, the Michigan Supreme Court sided with 77-year-old barber Karl Manke over Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. https://t.co/MsI0CaRoTu
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) June 6, 2020
“It is incumbent on the courts to ensure decisions are made according to the rule of law, not hysteria.” Justice David F. Viviano wrote. “One hopes that this great principle — essential to any free society, including ours — will not itself become yet another casualty of COVID-19.”
A Michigan Circuit Court later blocked the state’s attorney general from trying to hold the barber in contempt of court for keeping his business open.
Manke said on “Fox & Friends First” last month that he planned to reopen his shop to help his clients and protect his business.
“I'm 77 years old. I mean, what are they going to give me? Life?” he said. “I've got one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel. I [couldn't] care less.”
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