Over 50,000 Restaurants in Italy Declare “I Am Open” Defying Lockdown Measures

This weekend, over 50,000 restaurants in Italy began defying the country’s strict ‘anti-Covid’ lockdown measures in a massive act of civil disobedience according to Off-Guardian.

Italian restaurant owners have been spreading their “I Am Open” message through the social media hashtag #IoOpro (“I am opening”) and customers have turned the tables on the government:

ITALY: #IoApro restaurant is open, police arrives. Customers refuse to leave & shout in unison "Get out! Get out! Get out! ..we pay your wages from our taxes, you work for us.. Get out! Get out! Get out!" #IOpen pic.twitter.com/Wqa0DYz4ls

— Robin Monotti (@robinmonotti) January 16, 2021

BOLOGNA, ITALY: Customers escort police out of the #IoApro restaurant under the cries of "Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!" pic.twitter.com/XDxLctTGYR

— Robin Monotti (@robinmonotti) January 16, 2021

VARESE, ITALY: #IoApro restaurant: "Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!" #IOpen pic.twitter.com/oJTgLYb0mN

— Robin Monotti (@robinmonotti) January 16, 2021

The “I Am Open” movement started in Italy has already spread to other countries across the world, including Mexico, Switzerland and Poland.