Salon owner a heroine for cause of ‘freedom’

A TEXAS hairdresser has become a heroine of America’s anti-lockdown movement after refusing to shut her salon and going to prison.

Shelley Luther was jailed after she publicly tore up a cease-and-desist letter at an Open Texas protest last month, and continued seeing customers at Salon A La Mode in Dallas, which she owns.

On social media she declared “#Rememberthealamode” – a reference to the Battle of the Alamo in the Texas Revolution – and declared closures of hair salons unconstitutional.

Her actions ultimately landed her in court where, in an emotional televised appearance, Ms Luther told the judge she was helping at least 19 hairstylists to pay their mortgages.

The judge said she was being “selfish” and he would spare her jail if she apologised and closed the salon.

But Ms Luther, a mother, refused, saying: “”I am not going to shut the salon. Feeding my kids is not selfish.”

She was jailed for a week. Her case became a cause celebre for Republican politicians urging faster reopening, and donations of over $500,000 poured into a fund for her defence.

Following an outcry Texas governor Greg Abbott ensured she was released after two days. Donald Trump later called her “incredible”. Ted Cruz, the Texas senator, flew to Dallas to have Ms Luther cut his hair.

Ms Luther has used the $500,000 to set up a foundation to support hairstylists and other small businesses, and has made high-profile TV appearances.

She appeared at a “Freedom Rally” in Laredo, Texas, this week. Ms Luther told the rally: “I just followed my heart. Don’t ever apologise for working.”