A barbershop in the small town of McPherson, Kansas has closed down again after the owner was threatened with arrest for defying Gov. Laura Kelly’s edict against barbershops and hair salons opening in the state.
Luke Aichele, the owner of Luke’s Barbershop in McPherson, Kansas, a town with a population of less than 1,500 people, was threatened with arrest after he temporarily reopened his business, defying the orders of Kelly, who has allowed restaurants and retail establishments to reopen but not barbershops or hair salons.
According to local news, Aichele decided to reopen his business early in May because he is the sole provider for his family, and needs the essential income for his family’s survival.
Police issued an arrest warrant for him, and reportedly planned to arrest him on May 11. Rather than face arrest, Aichele compromised with police and agreed to temporarily close his business, complying with Kelly’s orders, until May 18. Aichele announced that the arrest warrant had been rescinded on May 9, though he may still be required to pay court fees for daring to reopen his business.
Despite closing his business after being threatened with arrest, Aichele intends to speak out against the governor’s decision to penalize certain small businesses, despite the coronavirus having a relatively minor impact in the state of Kansas.
On Facebook, Aichele wrote “Luke’s Barbershop would like to thank those that have supported us during this tough time as we have taken a stand for ourselves and those in [the] barber and cosmetology industry along with anyone else that is self employed.”
“This Thursday, at 9:30am I will be speaking on our behalf in front of the Senate Commerce Committee in Topeka at the State House,” Aichele added.
https://www.facebook.com/luke.aichele/posts/3048189998552124
Aichele has also blasted the Kansas governor, saying that she is continuing to restrict Kansas in an effort to audition to be former vice president Joe Biden’s running mate in the 2020 election. Biden previously pledged to have a female vice presidential candidate on the ticket, but would not go as far as to pledging to choose a woman of color.
“I hope people realize that these female democratic governors are bidding for vice presidency and will do whatever is necessary to gain clout with the Democratic Party even if it is on our backs,” wrote Aichele. “They have no plan on a 2nd term [as governor.]”
https://www.facebook.com/luke.aichele/posts/3042256335812157
National File reached out to Aichele for comment and did not immediately hear back. National File will update this article if we receive additional information from Aichele.