Restaurants have history as places for protest
Food is inherently political — including the spaces that serve them. Restaurants, as “third places” in the public arena (outside of home and work), are accessible and open, a convener of society.
Politicians in D.C. have traditionally treated restaurants as a half-third space: a semi-private location outside of the office to conduct business, utilizing restaurants as an extension of their workspace.
This public presence, however, implicitly invites the public in — and lawful protesters have taken note. On July 6, the dimly lit downtown location of Morton’s The Steakhouse chain became a protest stakeout.
According to media reports, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was having dinner at the steakhouse when protesters learned of his whereabouts, convening a small demonstration.
