WATCH: Sheriff’s Department Sends SWAT Team To Raid Bar During Peaceful Lockdown Protest In… Texas?!

What in the hell?! This doesn’t sound like Texas.

We all expect that there are certain parts of the U.S. that citizens who have become softened little blobs willing to relinquish their freedoms to Big Daddy Government™. And, conversely, we all expect that there are some jurisdictions where Nanny statists are very happy to goosestep right on in to protect people from everything–even their own rights and responsibilities.

But no one expected a heavy-handed show of force by the government over freedom-loving patriots to happen in Texas!

Governor Greg Abbott’s phased reopening was met with some disappointment as bars, gyms, and salons are not permitted to open yet and business owners are facing financial hardship.

In West Odessa, a few businesses planned on opening up anyway on May 4 to “peacefully protest” the latest Executive Order by the Governor.

But something went horribly wrong at Big Daddy Zane’s, a local bar in West Odessa.

Gabrielle Ellison, the owner of the bar, took her chances and opened up despite it being an act of civil disobedience. She said that she didn’t have a choice–she had to feed her family.

“We can’t take it no more, we’re not going to make it,” said Ellison. “I am aware of what’s going on down the road. I am shocked. I had customers come through saying, ‘You know they have SWAT built up, they have SWAT built up.’  Why would you bring in SWAT on a peaceful situation?”

Ellison says the risk of staying closed outweighs the risk of any virus. Even if it means potentially getting in trouble with law enforcement.

“The possibility of losing my license – heartbreaking. But they’ve already taken my income,” said Ellison.

Source: Fox 44

Ellison said that she had spoken to the Sheriff’s office prior to the protest and was assured that everything would be fine as long as people weren’t armed on the premises. When some protesters arrived exercising their 2nd Amendment right, Ellison said that she confined the men to an area in the back of the bar which is her personal property.

Despite the assurances that everything would be fine, the Ector County Sheriff’s Department sent the SWAT team including a heavily armored vehicle to raid the bar.

Watch the news report:

Here is some raw footage of what went down:

Ector County Sheriff’s SWAT team raiding a peaceful protest at Big Daddy Zane’s in West Odessa. The bar opened this afternoon despite Abbott’s latest orders, saying “all businesses are essential.”

Full coverage tonight on @KPEJFOX24News & @Big2News pic.twitter.com/WHiwhmisgs

— JuYeon Kim (@JuYeonKimTV) May 5, 2020

It’s just unbelievable.

The Sheriff’s office said that the protest wasn’t the problem, it was that they were carrying weapons in a place that derives the majority of its revenue from alcohol.

According to the sheriff, these people were “not protesting,” they were unlawfully carrying a weapon on licensed premises.

— Sammi Steele (@SammiSteeleNews) May 5, 2020

In regards to yesterday’s protest where 8 people were arrested….

“This has zero to do with second amendment rights,” Mike Griffis, Ector County Sheriff, said. @newswest9 pic.twitter.com/naeZHIOJrM

— Sammi Steele (@SammiSteeleNews) May 5, 2020

So, how bad is the COVID problem in Odessa?

Ector County has reported 84 cases of the coronavirus out of a population of 166,000.

That’s not 84 new cases–it’s 84 total.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Ector County confirms six new cases of the virus this afternoon. Total stands at 84.

— Tatum Guinn (@tatumguinn) May 4, 2020

So, this is worth bringing in the SWAT team, Ector County?

No way!

According to the news report, these guys weren’t even on the bar’s property and therefore were not in violation of the law.

How is this ok?

I’m a big fan of law enforcement, but seriously, WTF is Odessa doing with one of those armored vehicles?

And why the hell was it tooled around to deal with 8 protesters?

This is insane. But that aside, let’s talk about the militarization of law enforcement. Do you see the vehicle these officers rolled up in? Law enforcement is not an occupying force. The American people are not their enemy. This sends the wrong signal and it’s not necessary. https://t.co/EGqZ9mQ8T7

— Courtney (@CShadegg) May 5, 2020

This isn’t a good look for anyone, and I don’t think it sends the right message.

Law enforcement, look, we love you guys, but dang! This is a bit over the top.

It’s like burning down your house to solve an ant problem. Sure, it’ll work, but there might be some unfortunate and avoidable consequences.