Lisa Hanson, a Minnesota grandmother and former bistro owner, has spoken out against the COVID-19 lockdown policies enforced by Tim Walz, the state's governor during the pandemic and now a Democrat vice presidential candidate.
Fox News reported that Hanson alleges that the restrictions not only destroyed her business but also led to her incarceration. Her story has become a focal point in the ongoing debate over pandemic measures and their long-term effects on small businesses.
Hanson’s defiance of the lockdown orders and subsequent legal battles have highlighted the struggles of small business owners during the pandemic.
Hanson operated the Interchange Wine & Coffee Bistro in Albert Lea, a small town about 90 miles south of Minneapolis. The bistro had been in business for eight years before the pandemic hit. Like many other small business owners, Hanson initially complied with the statewide shutdown orders issued in March 2020.
As the pandemic continued, Hanson observed what she considered unfair discrepancies in the enforcement of the lockdown orders.
While small businesses such as restaurants, gyms, and salons were forced to close, large establishments like liquor stores and big-box retailers were allowed to remain open. This inequity prompted Hanson to reopen her bistro in defiance of the renewed shutdown order for bars and restaurants in December 2020.
Hanson's actions led to multiple legal confrontations with the state. Between December 2020 and January 2021, she defied the lockdown orders six times, leading to her arrest and subsequent conviction on misdemeanor charges.
In December 2021, Hanson was sentenced to 90 days in jail and fined $1,000. She served 60 days of her sentence, during which she missed significant family events, including Christmas, her wedding anniversary, and the birth of a grandchild.
Hanson asserts that the actions of Governor Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison not only destroyed her business but also upended her life. She claims that her bistro was unfairly targeted and that the government’s response to her defiance was excessively punitive.
Hanson's involvement in "Open Minnesota," a coalition of 200 business owners opposing the lockdown measures, further underscored her commitment to challenging what she saw as government overreach.
She argues that Walz acted outside the bounds of statutory and constitutional law by enforcing the lockdown orders and that her business had a constitutional right to remain open.
The aftermath of her defiance was costly. Hanson faced numerous civil and criminal cases and incurred tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees and fines. Despite these challenges, she maintains that there were no COVID-19 infections or deaths linked to her business during the periods it was open in defiance of the orders.
Hanson’s criticism of Walz extends beyond the pandemic lockdowns. She also condemns his handling of the riots that followed the death of George Floyd in May 2020. Hanson suggests that Walz’s response was inadequate and that his leadership during the crisis contributed to further unrest and damage to businesses across Minnesota.
Throughout her ordeal, Hanson has been vocal about her distrust of the two-party political system and her skepticism toward both major parties' nominees in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. She questions whether either party truly represents the interests of the American people and warns that the country is at risk of sliding into authoritarianism.
Hanson encourages citizens to become more involved in local government and school systems, urging them to take a stand against what she describes as government overreach. Her story, she believes, is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked political power.
In reflecting on her experiences, Hanson remains adamant that her actions were justified. She continues to speak out against what she views as an abuse of power by Walz and Ellison, describing them as "bullies" who disproportionately targeted women-owned businesses during the pandemic.
As the 2024 election approaches, Hanson’s story is likely to remain a point of contention in the political discourse surrounding the pandemic and its aftermath. Her experiences serve as a reminder of the complex and often painful realities faced by small business owners during one of the most challenging periods in recent history.
Lisa Hanson’s journey from a small-town bistro owner to a symbol of resistance against COVID-19 lockdowns illustrates the profound impact of government policies on individuals and their livelihoods.
Her defiance of Governor Walz's orders led to significant legal and personal consequences, raising important questions about the balance between public health measures and individual rights.
As she continues to advocate for greater citizen involvement in government, Hanson’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing debates surrounding pandemic-era policies and their legacy.
