imported post
Everybody has valid points. So, I guess it boils down to this...
Do we want to do this simply as a get-together or as a Tony's 7 anniversary celebration?
If we simply just want to do it as a get-together, then the venue probably makes little difference. However, if we want to do this as sort of a anniversary celebration where pro-activists stood up for their rights, then I think somewhere within the Manassas area (whether it be within the city limits or out) would be most appropriate.
I suggested Tony's since it was the site where the entire debacle took place. However, it sounds as if the 7 who participated that evening would be tresspassing. If we want to celebrate this time, it wouldn't be right not to include those folks.
Additionally, do we want to make a political statement? Do we want to provide our receipts to either Tony's or the Manassas City council? If we want to make a statement directed at Tony's, I'd prefer to stay within the city limits. If we want to make a statement to the Manassas City council, perhaps a location just outside of Manassas would be more appropriate. Perhaps it can be a two-pronged approach where we send receipts to Tony's and Manassas City.
I understand the point about Tony's being a business and not wanting to drive away business for any reason, but they operate a business out of the freedoms protected by our constitution. Surely, it's not too much to ask that the exercising of our rights are not discriminated against simply because someone might be scared of a small black gun on someone's belt. Of course, Tony's wouldn't have been an issue if the MCPD didn't make a scene of the whole deal. Nor would it have been an issue if a former-marine hadn't called 911 because he'd never seen anything like it.
There are plenty of places in and out of the Manassas City limits to grab a bite. Someone mentioned a Tony's in Bristow. In the same shopping center, there is also a Foster's Grille. There's another Tony's restaraunt on Sudley Manor Dr in Bull Run Plaza. We can choose 5 Guys in Manassas City. Heck, we've even hit the IHOP in Manassas on multiple occassions. Some of these places are within the city limits, some without...
I'm not picky, but I suggested it as a celebration of those individuals that stood up for our rights as citizens that evening. Therefore, I would suggest a location in the area of Manassas.