Tuesday, June 13, 2006
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - A civil rights watchdog agency has decided to open an investigation into a Philadelphia cheese steak restaurant that posted a sign saying "This is America - when ordering, speak English."
The Philadelphia controversy has fed a national debate over immigration in which the U.S. Senate passed a bill that would declare English the national language and politicians have raised objections to a Spanish version of the national anthem.
The sign may violate the city's Fair Practices Ordinance, which bans businesses from discriminating on the basis of nationality or ethnicity, Lawton said.
"The complaint will say that the sign discourages patronage by non-English speakers because of their national origin and/or ancestry," said Lawton, whose agency enforces the city's anti-discrimination laws.
Geno's will be given a up to two weeks to respond and, if the agency determines the sign has violated the city ordinance, will be ordered to take the sign down. If the restaurant refuses, it will be subject to a $300 fine, Lawton said.
Geno's owner Joey Vento, the grandson of Italian immigrants, said he has no plans to remove the sign.
"I don't see why I should have to. It's freedom of speech," said Vento, 66, who opened the restaurant 40 years ago.
Damn straight.
"If you don't speak English, the sign means nothing," he told Reuters on Monday.
Ha, good point. Check out the weird construction of these last few paragraphs:
One from California said groups like his should be banned for representing "filthy, illegal alien invaders", he said.
"This is dividing this nation," he said. "I'm really saddened by these individuals who are upset by having to be tolerant. I'm glad I'm living in an America where comments like Mr. Vento's are out of order."
What comments of Mr. Vento's are out of order? It sounds like either Reuters of Santiago are trying to smear the guy.
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OMG they are unbelievable. That's why so many people will simply not make waves, they're afraid of groups like this and the media. So, they bow their heads and do the pc thing.
If Mr. Vento ends up in trouble, I wonder if we can take up an internet collection to help him with any legal fees!
Isn't Geno's also the place that has a sign asking people to decide whether they want "mushrooms or onions, American or Provolone" in advance as well?
Let them order in whatever language people can speak in...if the order taker only speaks english ..instead of a cheesesteak ..maybe you end up with veggie supreme or tuna?
The most disgusting part of the whole thing is that there is NO ISSUE HERE.
"He said no one is refused service and no one is discriminated against."
Um, if the owner doesn't discriminate against non-English speakers, why the hell does he have a sign up telling people they have to speak English? What's the fucking point? I don't get it.
so many Americans are finally finding their voice. this is the issue that no one is ambivilant about. it strikes to the very heart of our country. does the french shop owner, and the french gov't, make sure that muslim immigrants can order food in their native tongue? how about the dutch? or spanish? what about the mexicans? does the mexican rest. owner have an english speaking order taker? I stand with Gino's. Woe to the politician who comes down on the wrong side of this issue.