NEWBURGH, NY — Calling himself an essential business because he has a family to support, the owner of a Hudson Valley tattoo parlor said he will reopen his doors in defiance of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s stay-at-home executive order during the coronavirus health crisis. Roberto Antonio Minuta, who has owned Casa Di Dolore in Newburgh for seven years, said he will reopen his shop Saturday.

To that end, Minuta is holding a rally at 9 a.m. Saturday at his tattoo parlor, located at 784 Broadway. He is asking those attending to wear facial coverings and respect social distancing.

In a video posted on social media, Minuta appealed to longtime customers, including many in state and local law enforcement, to support him in his actions.

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“I know there are tons of you and I don’t expect you to lose your job over this,” he said, specifically to those in law enforcement. “But you cannot enforce these supposed laws. They are not laws.”

The “New York State on PAUSE” executive order closing all nonessential businesses throughout the state went into effect at 8 p.m. March 22. Since then, all regions in the state, except for New York City, have been allowed to reopen the following businesses: construction; agriculture; forestry; fishing and hunting; retail, limited to curbside or in-store pickup or drop off; and manufacturing and wholesale trade. Cuomo announced Friday that the first phase of the reopening of New York City can start on June 8.

For the Mid-Hudson region, the earliest phase two businesses could open is June 9. Offices, real estate, in-store retail with restrictions, commercial business management and hair salons and barbershops are among those that will be allowed to reopen. Minuta said he feels his business falls under the second phase of opening.

During a phone interview with Patch, Minuta said he had originally wanted to reopen Tuesday, but decided he needed to take time to get some legal counsel.

He said the rally and the reopening are to “take a stand against a tyrannical governor who has no respect for lives.”

Minuta said his motivation is not financial, though closing his business has hurt, but to stand up for freedom.

“At some point we have to say we’ve done our job to flatten the curve and this needs to end,” he said.

When asked about what procedures he will put in place to keep not only his customers safe but also him and his family, Minuta said he will be wearing a mask — he’s the only person working in his shop — and the customers will be provided a mask if they don’t have one.

Hand sanitizer will be provided, and the store’s surfaces will be sanitized between customers. He anticipates being able to serve only one or two customers a day.

“It’s a minor surgical procedure,” Minuta said, referring to getting a tattoo. “Our sterilization is medical-grade.”

Watch Minuta’s video here [warning: offensive language].

Casa Di Dolore translates to “House of Pain.”

Not surprising, reactions on social media to Minuta’s video has been mixed.

One commenter said that calling himself “essential” was an insult to actual essential workers who are required to put themselves on the front line of the crisis.

Others said they supported him, shared his video, and would be making an appointment.

When asked whether he was concerned about possibly infecting his wife and children, he told Patch that risk analysis was involved, and that he believed that children aren’t really affected by the coronavirus.

“Yes, our health is a concern,” Minuta said. “But under no circumstances should our rights be taken away.”

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