Dozens of Lubbock residents turned up for a protest in support of local businesses this weekend at Clapp Park. Mayor Dan Pope took part in the event as well, drawing mixed reactions from the public. This comes just days after announcing the formation of a Task Force dedicated to re-opening Lubbock businesses. Some fear pushing the city back open may cause another spike in COVID-19 cases.
Cars lined the street on Saturday morning, adorned with signs and American flags, some played patriotic music as the parade began. The second car in line belonged to Paul McArthur, the spokesperson for the event and a local business owner himself. McArthur runs a conservative news outlet called the Caprock Patriot, which relies heavily on advertisement dollars from small businesses. “The reality is, these businesses deserve a fighting chance,” he says. “We’re not here to riot, we’re having a peaceful rolling protest—lights on, American flags waving—just to show our support for local businesses and to encourage the mayor and the city to act quickly.”
According to the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, of their 1700 members, 94 percent employ 20 or less. In a city council meeting earlier this month, City Manager Jarrett Atkinson provided grim details about the hit Lubbock’s economy has sustained as a result of COVID-19. “Texas workforce commission on March 27,” Atkinson said, “On that single day the Texas workforce commission fielded more claims for unemployment benefits than they had fielded in the entire month of February.” Last week, Mayor Pope announced the formation of the Lubbock Economic Recovery Task Force in an effort to re-open Lubbock businesses.
Not everyone was pleased with Saturday’s event. “Are you kidding me? Was pretty much what came out of my mouth,” says Carli Watson in response to Saturday’s event. She’s the owner of a small boutique in Lubbock, a store she deems as the most nonessential store you could find. When the event first popped up on Facebook, it got some serious backlash.
Initially, it was described as a mock funeral for small businesses. Since Lubbock is in the middle of a pandemic, where people are actually dying, that didn’t really sit well with some folks. One comment read, “…A mock funeral when real people have died and can’t have a funeral. What a joke.” Soon after, McArthur came onboard to help shift the messaging.
"I recognize that it was insensitive...We quickly changed the message and said a rolling protest," says McArthur
“I recognize that it was insensitive,” McArthur says. “We quickly changed the message and said a rolling protest.” He explains that the demonstration was not an act against the Mayor. In fact, McArthur sent an invitation to the Mayor the day before, which he accepted. “I think Mayor Pope has done a good job. I think he’s in a can’t win situation. We just feel strongly that Lubbock needs to get back to work,” he says.
Watson says she was surprised to see the Mayor taking part in the protest. “It’s scary to think that we could open up all the sudden and go right back down the hole,” she says. Once the virus hit Lubbock, Watson closed her store earlier than most other businesses in the area. Many of her customers are older and she just couldn’t risk it. She explains that she simply doesn't trust people to be responsible during the pandemic. She doesn't anticipate reopening anytime soon, and honestly can't predict when she will feel comfortable enough to do so.
Watson is however fortunate; her boutique was one that received an SBA loan from a fund that quickly dried up. On the Lubbock Chamber website, there is an announcement that reads, “The SBA is currently unable to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program based on available appropriations funding.” In a statement issued by U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza, they explain that “the SBA has processed more than 14 years’ worth of loans in less than 14 days.”
Watson was quick to act on submitting the application. The emergency funds help buy her some time from having to lay off any of her three employees and closing up for good. Most small business owners she and McArthur know are still waiting to hear about the status of their applications. McArthur was reluctant to name anyone specific, but says he knows a few that have already shuttered for good.
“People talk about flattening the curve of the virus, rightfully so,” McArthur says. “When are we going to talk about flattening the curve for these small businesses? The longer we wait, the harder it will be for them to recover and the more likely they won’t recover.”
On Monday the Lubbock Economic Recovery Task Force met for the first time. The group is comprised of 22 members, that will work in four committees to create a set of initial guidelines for businesses to re-open, which they will present to city council on April 28.
