Establishment media outlets have descended their vitriol upon a restaurant owner who chose to defy Ontario Premier Doug Ford's lockdown orders by opening his business for indoor dining on Tuesday.
Adam Skelly is a small business owner who runs Adamson's Barbecue, a popular food joint in Etobicoke. Skelly said that he has been considering ignoring pandemic-related restrictions on indoor dining for a while now, but finally chose to defy the orders after Doug Ford's recently imposed ban on all restaurant dining, indoor or outdoor.
LIVE from Toronto: Adam Skelly, owner of Adamson Barbecue in Etobicoke talks about establishment media showing up to his restaurant, rips them for bias. pic.twitter.com/XOSdIwGDAd
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) November 24, 2020
While thousands of small businesses across Toronto and Peel Region are suffering as a result of these lockdown orders as they are unable to take customers, mainstream media journalists who's livelihoods are not at stake decided to descend upon the restaurant with rage.
I’m on my way to Adamson BBQ in Etobicoke where owner Adam Skelly — making false claims about the severity of this pandemic — has vowed to open for inside dining at 11AM. The head of by-law enforcement for the city tells me they are aware of the Instagram post and plan to attend pic.twitter.com/s6FjpjajiE
— Jennifer Pagliaro (@jpags) November 24, 2020
Here we go.
— Kamil Karamali (@KamilKaramali) November 24, 2020
Bylaw officers arrive at Adamson BBQ after the restaurant defied lockdown orders this morning and opened its doors to indoor dining. #covid19ontario pic.twitter.com/qlhffuu4x8
just thinking about the time @TPSOperations held three BLM protestors overnight for throwing paint on a statue as i read about the owner of adamson bbq getting not so much as a slap on the wrist for defying a provincial lockdown aimed at saving actual human lives
— Rebecca Tucker (@RebeccaTee) November 24, 2020
As police entered Adamson BBQ, Rage Against the Machines “Killing in the Name” played for the second time over the restaurant’s loud speakers. Pretty sure RATM wouldn’t be happy having their music associated with the scene here this morning. pic.twitter.com/0xfHfI8ZgI
— Adrian Ghobrial (@CityAdrian) November 24, 2020
One journalist from CTV News attempted to associate Skelly with white supremacy for failing to strictly control for the political views of his patrons.
Self-described white nationalist Paul Fromm, has arrived to support Adamson BBQ. I wonder if this is the type of support owner Adam Skelly was hopping for today when he opened his restaurant? I’ve asked Mr. Skelly for an interview multiple times today. He’s declined. pic.twitter.com/23kO5HJPaX
— Adrian Ghobrial (@CityAdrian) November 24, 2020
Another journalist, this time from CP24, doxxed a City of Toronto employee for expressing support for Skelly by posting their license plate on Twitter while tagging Mayor Tory
A @cityoftoronto marked truck drives past Adamson BBQ...the driver fist pumps and gave a thumbs up to the protesters. cc: Mayor @JohnTory #topoli pic.twitter.com/iavYLJkJ0e
— Cristina Tenaglia (@cristina_CP24) November 24, 2020
Some journalists have offered more balanced coverage of Skelly's decision.
Adam Skully of Adamson BBQ has everybody’s attention. pic.twitter.com/byQlMCOOqR
— Joe Warmington (@joe_warmington) November 24, 2020
Skelly said that most of the mainstream media refused to cover his side of the story.
"It's completely biased journalism, they don't show both sides of the story. They try to vilify anybody who's not talking the mainstream narrative. I don't want them here, I want people who are going to show both sides of the story... That's why we've got you guys here, that's why we've got The Post Millennial, that's why we've got independent journalists, these are the people I want to talk to. [The mainstream media outlets,] they're going to twist my words, they're going to catch me making a funny face, and make that as their poster and make me out to be an asshole."
After Adam was issued a closing order, Stephanie Smyth, CP24 managing editor and anchor, posted a tweet mocking him and tying him to 'fake news.'
Mr. Adamson - this isn’t fake news — you’re getting shut down. The order in your hand. pic.twitter.com/0isg6mUNwv
— Stephanie Smyth (@stephaniesmyth) November 24, 2020
Skelly remains defiant, however, stating that his restaurant will "be open until they drag me out of here."
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