Do you remember reports of the man, Greg Piatek, who alleged a cocktail bar known as The Happiest Hour, refused to serve him because he was wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat? Well, he ended up filing a lawsuit against the bar, and just recently it took an odd turn. When the lawsuit was first filed, Piatek claimed he was discriminated against for his hat’s political statement. Now, however, he claims “he wore the hat, which was sold as campaign gear from President Donald Trump, when he went to visit the September 11 memorial as part of a spiritual expression.”
Do you remember reports of the man, Greg Piatek, who alleged a cocktail bar known as The Happiest Hour refused to serve him because he was wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat? Well, he ended up filing a lawsuit against the bar, and just recently it took an odd turn. When the lawsuit was first filed, Piatek claimed he was discriminated against for his hat’s political statement. Now he claims “he wore the hat, which was sold as campaign gear from President Donald Trump, when he went to visit the September 11 memorial as part of a spiritual expression.” You read that right. Piatek wasn’t wearing his MAGA hat to make a political statement, but rather as a form of religious expression.
According to the discrimination lawsuit: “It is the plaintiff’s sincere belief [sic] that the hat is representative of a set of closely held spiritual aspirations and convictions that entirely transcend the political realm. For the plaintiff, the hat is religious as a tangible expression of his personal commitment to achieving those spiritual aspirations.”
Additionally, the lawsuit also argues that “Piatek is part of a protected class, specifically one related to religious and spiritual beliefs.”
Why the sudden change? Well, some might find it odd that this new argument and claim that his MAGA hat is a form of spiritual expression came shortly after an attorney for The Happiest Hour said that “political beliefs aren’t protected by discrimination law.” But what happened in the first place that resulted in Piatek filing the discrimination lawsuit?
It all started earlier this year in January when Piatek visited the bar. While there, he wore his MAGA hat and later claimed he wasn’t served and was even called “a terrible human being” by a bartender. However, The Happiest Hour pushed back against Piatek’s claims by pointing out that “they had receipts saying that the man spent nearly $190 at the bar — and left an approximately 20 percent tip.”
Suffice it to say, The Happiest Hour isn’t buying Piatek’s latest claim, and “isn’t backing down in the discrimination lawsuit.” In fact, an attorney for the popular bar recently said: “The plaintiff’s arguments are entirely fanciful. There is zero case law to support them. This latest filing shows once again that this action is a publicity stunt in the guise of a lawsuit.” The bar’s manager even chimed in, saying that Piatek “must have had a good time because of the tip noted on the receipts provided.”
Ask Piatek about his evening at The Happiest Hour, though, and he’ll tell a different story. According to him, the time he spent at the bar was “the most discriminatory, humiliating and ‘Saddest Hour’ of his life.” So, if he had such a dreadful time, then why did he leave such a good tip? Well, when speaking about Piatek his attorney said he has “such a good heart that he’s going to tip no matter the service or discriminatory treatment.”
What do you think? Is Piatek’s sudden claim of spiritual expression to be believed, or do you think it’s a stunt?
Sources:
Man in Trump Hat Who Sued Bar for Discrimination Claims It’s a Spiritual Symbol
Lawsuit claims MAGA hats are religious-wear signaling “closely held spiritual beliefs”
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