Why ‘RHONY’ Cast Members Are Protesting Restaurant Shutdown In NYC

RHONY cast members spoke out against the indoor dining shutdowns across New York City. Three of the series’ stars showed their support for local businesses. The Real Housewives of New York are defending NYC’s small businesses, especially food workers and restaurant owners impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. These businesses faced economic devastation for much of the year.

Cast member Leah McSweeney has been leading the way. On Tuesday, December 15, she attended a rally in Times Square. She protested the restaurant shutdown enforced by Governor Andrew Cuomo. She posted several photos on Instagram, most of which showed her holding up signs at the event.

Leah McSweeny protests restaurant shutdown

The RHONY newbie felt “disgusted” with Ramona Singer going out during the quarantine during this spring. But Leah and two of her fellow co-stars came together for a good cause. The 38-year-old fashion designer attended the event in Times Square to protest Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s decision to close indoor dining in New York City. Cuomo wants to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Of course, this also hurts local businesses. Protestors are demanding a bailout for the restaurant owners. McSweeney shared many photos from the event. In her caption, she declared that it’s not “about dining out.” She is supporting the “hard-working people, small business owners, and NYC.” According to the reality star, NYC isn’t NYC “without restaurants, our sous chefs, busboys and bartenders, waitstaff, etc.”

In her post, McSweeney told her followers that these furloughed and laid off employees need their help. She also shared that a “1.4% transmission rate in indoor dining does not warrant plummeting all these people into poverty.” The Married to the Mob founder has always been vocal about her political views. Earlier this year, she shared photos from the Black Lives Matter protests to educate her followers.

Two other RHONY co-stars share their support

Fellow RHONY co-star Ramona Singer shared her support for local businesses. She also shared photos from the rally. In the caption, she wrote: “As a New Yorker I am appalled to see what is happening to the restaurant / hospitality industry! How do [Gov. Cuomo] & [NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio] expect these businesses to survive!!?”

In the post, Singer said that “indoor restaurant dining only represents 1.43% of COVID-19 cases 73% come from household gatherings.” She accused Gov. Cuomo of bringing NYC “to its knees economically.” Then, Singer shared a Change.org petition to demand the impeachment of the Democrat.

Luann de Lesseps highlighted the protest on her Instagram page. However, she wasn’t as worthy as Singer or McSweeney. Instead, she simply wrote: “Restaurants are the lifeblood of New York City.”

This comes after RHONY Season 13 was rumored to be shut down over COVID concerns. A crew member tested positive for the novel virus. However, the cast members are healthy and COVID-free. Production has been “limited” and “not completely shut down” after the outbreak.