https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/police-city-officials-locksmith-at-adamson-barbecue

LIVE UPDATES: Adamson Barbecue owner put in handcuffs

Nov 26, 2020  •  Last Updated 6 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

Adamson BBQ owner Adam Skelly is led away from his restaurant by Toronto Police as supporters tried to wrestle him away on Thursday, November 26, 2020. Photo by Jack Boland /Toronto Sun

BREAKING: ADAM SKELLY HAS BEEN LED AWAY IN HANDCUFFS. FOLLOW LIVE COVERAGE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STORY

Adamson Barbecue owner Adam Skelly, who has been refusing to follow a provincial lockdown order, has been arrested after officials locked him out of his restaurant Thursday.

Skelly had told the Sun that police told him if he messed with the door that had its locks changed he would be charged with obstruction of justice. He was taken away in handcuffs.

Toronto Police confirm that arrests have been made and officers remain at the scene. “We continue to ask for calm and cooperation,” the force tweeted.

Cops say a second man was arrested for assaulting a police officer.

Adamson BBQ owner Adam Skelly is led away from his restaurant by Toronto Police on Thursday, November 26, 2020. Photo by Jack Boland /Toronto Sun

More to come…

Mayor John Tory appeared on CNN Thursday morning, making it clear Adamson Barbecue will not be serving its slow-cooked beef on this day.

“He won’t be opening today, I can assure you that,” Toronto’s mayor told the American network on that country’s Thanksgiving.

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Not long after that quote started to move around Toronto media came word that the city had raided the Queen Elizabeth Boulevard restaurant with hired locksmiths.

The city told reporters on the scene that under order of public health they had changed the locks on the restaurant.

Skelly was joined by a crowd of supporters outside his restaurant. “Need locksmith & other hands at Etobicoke asap,” he had posted in an Instagram story earlier.

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On Wednesday, he told the Toronto Sun he not only fully intended to open today but would bring “five times” the amount of food to serve everybody.

He said this despite receiving nine tickets for various alleged (non criminal code) violations under several jurisdictions.

Skelly was ignoring earlier rulings from the province and then a closure order from Toronto’s medical officer of health Dr. Eileen De Villa.

Toronto Polcie officers block the side door outside Adamson Barbecue on Queen Elizabeth Blvd. Thursday, November 26, 2020. Photo by Jack Boland /Toronto Sun

Meanwhile, a man named Barry McNamar has started a GoFundMe account to help Skelly with his legal costs.

“I don’t know him but I do know that guys like him are in short supply during this overblown COVID nonsense and he deserves our support.”

Skelly has been a major big thorn in the side of Premier Doug Ford and Mayor John Tory this week.

Supporters and Toronto Police outside Adamson Barbecue on Queen Elizabeth Blvd. on Thursday, November 26, 2020. Photo by Jack Boland /Toronto Sun

“I was nice to the guy yesterday, but buddy, let me tell you something, you’re putting people’s lives in jeopardy,” Ford said Wednesday.

Tory’s frustration abut the situation was highlighted in a news release late Wednesday that said, “Neither Mayor John Tory nor city council direct enforcement of any kind,” however, “following (Tuesday’s) confusing series of events, caused in part by the fact the regulations are brand new, the mayor indicated he was dissatisfied with the outcome of the Adamson matter, asked repeated questions, and was assured at this morning’s COVID-19 Strategic Command Table meeting that there was alignment and that the various authorities were ready for an anticipated repeat opening.”

This occurred Thursday morning with the changing of the locks of Adamson Barbecue.