Greg Piatek MAGA discrimination suit: Trump supporter who sought unspecified emotional damages after claiming he was thrown out of NYC bar for his ‘spiritual beliefs’ has suit tossed.
A Manhattan judge on Wednesday threw out a ‘discrimination suit’ brought forward by ‘Make America Great Again’ hat wearing bar drinker, Greg Piatek after ruling the venue that demanded he leave was allowed to do so because state laws do not compel establishments to serve guests if they disagree with their political affiliation.
The 31 year old Philadelphia accountant was bounced from a West Village watering hole in January 2017, just after Trump took the oath of office, for wearing a MAGA cap, according to his lawsuit over the incident.
‘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 on West 10th Street told him after he and his pals complained about the rude service they were getting from a bartender.
A bridled Piatek sued in Manhattan Supreme Court, claiming the incident ‘offended his sense of being American.’
Just unbelievable! What happened to being an “inclusive” city? https://t.co/fP0Y03XzjA
— Nicole Malliotakis (@NMalliotakis) April 25, 2018
Greg Piatek MAGA discrimination suit: ‘How many members in your particular ‘religious creed?”
But on Wednesday, when the bar’s lawyer, Elizabeth Conway, pointed out that only religious, and not political, beliefs are protected under state and city discrimination laws, saying, ‘supporting Trump is not a religion’— Piatek pivoted reported the nypost.
“The purpose of the hat is that he wore it because he was visiting the 9/11 Memorial,’ his attorney Paul Liggieri told Justice David Cohen.
‘He was paying spiritual tribute to the victims of 9/11. The Make American Great Again hat was part of his spiritual belief,’ Liggieri claimed. Piatek and his pals had, in fact, visited the memorial before the bar.
Insisted the lawyer, ‘Rather than remove his hat, instead he held true to his spiritual belief and was forced from the bar’.
Upon the judge asking how the bar employees were supposed to be aware of Piatek’s ‘unique’ religious beliefs, Liggieri responded, ‘They were aware he was wearing the hat.’
Demanded the judge, trying to get a handle of Piatek’s particular religious creed, ‘How many members are in this spiritual program that your client is engaged in?’
‘Your honor, we don’t allege the amount of individuals,’ Liggieri said.
‘So, it’s a creed of one?’ responded the judge.
‘Yes, your honor,’ Liggieri replied.
After taking an hour’s recess to further contemplate Piatek’s discrimination suit, Judge Cohen returned to the courtroom only to deny Piatek’s claims for unspecified ’emotional damage’.
Told the judge, ‘Plaintiff does not state any faith-based principle to which the hat relates’.
Judge Cohen went on to describe Piatek’s suit as nothing more than a ‘petty’ slight.
‘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,’ the judge ruled.
Following the case’s ouster, Jon Neidich, owner of The Happiest Hour denies Piatek having been kicked out while pointing out Piatek appeared to have been ‘sufficiently pleased with his service at the bar [and] that he added’ a $36 tip onto the $186 tab’.
Liggieri said he now plans to review the court’s decision to determine whether or not to appeal.
Right decision? Oregon bakers to pay $135K damages for refusing to make lesbians cake.
Explain this…
Bakers must bake for everyone, regardless of religious beliefs, but a bar can throw out Trump supporters?!? https://t.co/CJIL4ngcaQ— Women for Trump (@WomenforTrump) April 26, 2018
