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Texas police have arrested a bar owner and six armed men who were protesting lockdown orders issued amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Cops were called to Big Daddy Zane's Bar in West Odessa Monday evening after owner Gabrielle Ellison, 47, re-opened the establishment, violating laws put into place by Gov. Greg Abbott.
Upon arrival, cops were met by a group of men who said they were there to support and defend Ellison as she opened the premises back up. Six of the men were wearing armor and were armed with guns.
According to OA Online, the men belong to a group named Open Texas. Members travels around the state 'with weapons' and try to help businesses reopen their doors'.
'I think some rights were taken away from us which one of them was like a right to survive. We have to survive and I think those rights were stripped from us,' Ellison stated.