Merita Kraja the Owner of Euro Pizza Café challenges COVID lockdown order in Arizona
Merita Kraja’s American dream was in jeopardy. After escaping communism in Albania 30 years ago, she came to the United States, became a citizen, and opened a small business—Euro Pizza Café in Fountain Hills, Arizona. Her restaurant thrived for two decades, but then local law enforcement unfairly targeted her amid the COVID-19 crisis. But thanks to the Goldwater Institute’s American Freedom Network, and The Attorneys For Freedom Law Firm, Merita’s dream is still a reality.
Marc J. Victor of Attorneys For Freedom Law Firm—a member of Goldwater’s American Freedom Network— took the case Pro Bono and defended Merita against the unfair charges. Thanks to their efforts, charges against Merita were dropped, bringing an end to the case and, hopefully, an end to this type of abuse of power by the city.
“Whatever one thinks of the orders, there is no question that the law should be fairly and equitably enforced. That does not appear to have happened here,” said Victor. “We intend to litigate this issue as far as necessary to get justice for Merita.”
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office dismissed charges against Fountain Hills resident Merita Kraja, owner of Euro Pizza Café, on Saguaro boulevard for violating the Executive Orders of Governor Doug Ducey related to the pandemic.
“Citizens around the country are often mistreated by municipalities, who assume they won’t fight back,” Victor added. “It is a privilege to represent a brave client who won’t concede defeat and is willing to take a stand for her freedoms and others’.”