A Lubbock Small Business Funeral Is Happening This Weekend [Update]

Update: Following 94.5 FMX's coverage of the Funeral for the Lubbock Small Businessman event set to happen Saturday and the ensuing citizen criticism of the chosen theme, the organizers have decided to rename it.

Now, it's being called the "Rolling Protest for Lubbock Businesses," with participants driving around Lubbock in their vehicles beginning at 9 a.m.

From the Facebook event page:

We will be having a rolling protest to show support for the small businesses in our city. Bring an American flag (if you have one - otherwise, just show up with headlights on). We'll start the procession at Clapp Park and proceed on a route shown below

WE WILL NOT BE GETTING OUT OF OUR CARS. Just following the route, lights on, flags waving. No rush. Take your time. Join anywhere along the route to show support for small businesses.

Lubbock mayor Dan Pope closed down all nonessential business in Lubbock to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Critics of that decision, including the group behind this protest, believe "small business owners can open their doors, practice better safety measures than the big box stores."

Original story: It's a difficult time to be alive and try to see what tomorrow will bring. For now, we should honor the law and work together to surpass what I hope will be remembered as a historical awakening of the individual and the bonding of many.

In that respect, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share with you an event that was brought to my attention: "Funeral for the Lubbock Small Businessman."

(Editor's Note: 94.5 FMX supports small business and is working with many local businesses to help them navigate this difficult and uncertain time. Here's how.)

The event will be a peaceful protest of the shutting down of small businesses in Lubbock due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. Citizens who wish to participate in the mock funeral procession can do so by starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 18th at 34th and I-27 next door to Harbor Freight.

More information can be found on their Facebook event page.

Before I jump on my political high horse and ride off into the sunset, I think I'll sit back and observe how this one turns out. As someone who has had to arrange and attend funerals for my son and then my father, I'm sure there's a better way to symbolize the pain that small businesses are feeling right now. A mock funeral seems a little extreme in my opinion, and likely will not be received well by all.

Related: Up-to-date coronavirus cases and deaths in Lubbock County

I'll reserve my judgment until I have a better understanding of what this group's intentions and outcome may be for the event. I mean, at least it won't be worse than what happened when the Texas Tech men's basketball team made it to the Final Four. Remember that?