As of midnight in the dark hours of Monday morning, internet cafes across Jacksonville were forced to shut down. Last week, 175 arcades were served cease-and-desist orders and were to either remove their simulated gaming machines or shut down.
Business owners and workers told First Coast News they don’t know what’s next for them. Within the span of less than a month, they went from fighting a looming February deadline to close to losing their jobs immediately. In fact on Friday, many saw their last paychecks.
Protests over the weekend showed just how frustrated the workers were and particularly at councilwoman Leanna Cumber. Cumber is the person who introduced the bill that brought on this very abrupt shutdown, and the workers say they didn't understand why.
In the ordinance, Cumber wrote that the danger to the public and first responders who have to answer calls to internet cafes is too severe. There have been several instances of robberies and shootings at these types of facilities.
As for why Cumber felt the city needed to shut them down immediately, when it would put around 2,000 people out of a job with virtually no notice, has still yet to be revealed. First Coast News reached out to her office several times and we have not heard any word back.
The workers are still hoping the city will reverse its decision, and in the meantime, the city is holding a job fair on Thursday, Oct. 24 to help the thousands that have been displaced.
The job fair will be held at the Emmett Reed Comunity Center on 1093 West 6th St/ from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.