A Dallas salon owner was sentenced to jail after she defied a county judge by reopening her business to feed her minor children. The Texas woman joins the ranks of Americans who reject the notion that the government can lock them up or control their speech.
Democrat-elected Judge Eric Moyé highlighted just how authoritarian some elites have become during the pandemic. He trolled out his coercive powers from the bench and attempted to intimidate and demean Salon Á la Mode owner Shelly Luther. In a move that disgraced his robes, judge Moyé reportedly insisted Luther take a reduced sentence and no jail time in a quid pro quo. All she had to do was admit wrongdoing and apologized to politicians, including him, personally, for rejecting government overreach.
“That you owe an apology to the elected officials who you disrespected by flagrantly ignoring, and in one case defiling, their orders you now know obviously apply to you,” Moyé bullied. “That you understand that the proper way in which an ordered society to engage concerns that you might have had is to hire a lawyer and advocate for change an exception or an amendment to laws that you find offensive.”
But the liberal judge did not get the kowtowing he anticipated from the Texan. What he got was a polite response to stuff his contempt where the sun doesn’t shine.
“I have to disagree with you, sir, when you say that I’m selfish,” Luther reportedly said. “So, sir, if you think the law is more important than kids getting fed, then please go ahead with your decision, but I am not going to shut the salon.”
Moyé handed down a fine that tallies upwards of $7,000 and seven days behind bars. The ruling has little to do with her opening the business safely and responsibly and everything to do with standing up as a citizen in a free society.
“I don’t want to cause any problems, but when you’re out of money, someone has to stand up and say that they’re not helping us by not letting us work. I’m behind on my mortgage. I know a lot of my stylists haven’t paid their mortgage. It’s either come in and make money to be able to feed your family or stay home and freak out,” Luther explained. “Obviously, I don’t want anyone to get sick, and I don’t want the virus to spread. It will be one of the safer places for people to go rather than going to Walmart or Home Depot.”
According to reports, the Democrat judge was visibly upset by the salon owner’s courage in the face of incarceration. Despite her attorney immediately putting the judge on notice that they planned to appeal, he initially instructed sheriffs to take her into custody. But outside the courthouse, supporters and news media gathered to hail her bold stance.
“I will not pay the fine,” Luther reportedly told news media after being released.
On the heels of the incident, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott declared that all nail and hair salons could promptly reopen.
