Thread: "Speak English" sign at Geno's Faces Fight

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/148037 ... tstory.jsp
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Geno's hit with bias complaints

The Commission on Human Relations said it would insist on removal of a "Speak English" sign at the cheesesteak shop.
By Mitch Lipka
Inquirer Staff Writer

One of South Philadelphia's biggest names in cheesesteaks is in a bit of a legal pickle for a lunch-line political statement against immigrants who don't speak English.

The city's Commission on Human Relations yesterday filed a discrimination complaint against Geno's Steaks over signs that read: "This is AMERICA ... WHEN ORDERING SPEAK ENGLISH."

Owner Joey Vento has become a mini-celebrity over the issue and has steadfastly refused to pull down the signs despite the growing legal brouhaha. His son, Geno, said his father would not comment on the matter to The Inquirer.

Reached at his home yesterday evening, the Rev. James S. Allen Sr., commission chairman, said it was incumbent on the commission to get the sign removed.

"We think it is discriminatory, and we are concerned about the image of Philadelphia," he said.

According to the complaint, which was served on Geno's yesterday afternoon, the restaurant is in violation of two sections of the city's antidiscrimination laws: denying service to someone because of his or her national origin, and having printed material making certain groups of people feel their patronage is unwelcome.

In two weeks in the media spotlight, Vento - who has done a whirlwind of local and national talk shows - has defended the sign and said he had no intention of removing it.

He has said it is an immigrant's duty to learn the language and has acknowledged that his strong feelings were directed at Mexican immigrants, whose ranks are growing in South Philadelphia.

Vento, 66, said that the sign had been up for six months without complaint until recently and that it simply spoke to the notion that people who choose to live in this country should endeavor to speak English. He has made a point of saying he had never denied anyone service regardless of language.

But Allen said that didn't matter.

"The issue is not whether anyone has been denied service, but that such a sign discourages people from coming asking for service," he said.

Vento's son said yesterday his father would not comment on the issue to members of the print media on the advice of legal counsel.

Allen said the complaint begins a legal process that could subject Geno's to sanctions if the sign is not removed. It was not immediately clear how severe a penalty Geno's could be subject to if the complaint is found to be valid and an order to remove the sign is ignored. Rachel Lawton, acting executive director of the commission, did not return repeated calls seeking clarification and comment.

An investigation will begin, Allen said, and Vento will be afforded an opportunity to respond to the complaint. Then the two sides are supposed to get together to resolve their differences.

If the issue is not resolved, Allen said, a public hearing will be scheduled. The process, he said, could continue beyond that and has no certain time parameters.

"It depends on what his response is," Allen said.

The American Civil Liberties Union said that Vento had a right to express his opinions, regardless of how offensive they might be, but that his particular message might cross the line because of specific laws intended to make so-called public accommodations available to everyone.

Public opinion on both the Geno's episode and the larger issue of immigrants speaking the language of the land has been split. The Pew Hispanic Center last week drew attention to a poll that showed a large majority of immigrant Hispanics want to learn English.

City Councilman Jim Kenney said it was time for Vento to back down. He asked the cheesesteak wiz to take down the sign before the matter escalated.

"I asked for consideration, and the consideration was rebuffed," Kenney said yesterday. "I just think it's mean-spirited and divisive, and it's not good for the city's image."

This is an e-mail that I sent to Rachel Lawton who heads the Human Relationtions Council in Philadelphia as it was she who initiated the complaint against Geno's:


Rachel,

From my perspective you are nothing more than another liberal fruitcake and this is in regard to the reasonable expectation of Geno's steaks to require patrons to speak English when ordering an item.....that is not discrimination...it is a reasonable request. With the 100's of languages and dialects in this world can you speak and understand everyone? Of course not!!!!. Add to this the fact that the majority of people who have no desire to learn English especially if they are illegal aliens who don't even have the human, civil or legal right to be in this country, then you are violating federal law by aiding and abetting illegal aliens. If I chose to legally migrate to another country, I would surely expect to learn their language and abide by their laws. If someone were to choose to patronize Geno's, then they would manage to understand and speak in English....and if they are discouraged by that simple requirement, then that's just too f**kin' bad.....and it's not discrimination. Take your interpretation of your local ordnance and shove it up your ***.

[quote="Prolegal7"]This is an e-mail that I sent to Rachel Lawton who heads the Human Relationtions Council in Philadelphia as it was she who initiated the complaint against Geno's:


Would you share the e-mail address of Rachel Lawton. I would also like to share my opinion with this "liberal fruitcake".

Thanks.

Sailor, the e-mail address for Lawton is:

rachel.lawton@phila.gov

but that his particular message might cross the line because of specific laws intended to make so-called public accommodations available to everyone.

Hmmm..what about those signs that read..."No shoes, no shirt, no service"...and those that read "This establishment reserves the right to deny service to anyone"...????? Those signs have been in use for many many years...We should file a lawsuit against all those businesses b/c they discriminate against naked and half naked people...HUH?

Public services have never been available to EVERYONE...and hopefully they will NEVER be. People who own businesses have the right to designate who they will serve...without interference from the city council.

MJ

This is great finally someone is speaking out. I for one would like to send this man a letter thanking him for keeping America from turning into a foreign country!!!

MustangJo, the people who promote this kind of malarky generally are lawyers who are out to simply make a buck whether there is merit to their cause or not. And it is a disgrace for even the ACLU to consider this as crossing the line....the ACLU crosses too many lines itself.

I wonder if these do gooders at the so called human-relations commission speak english when they order food at a restraurant?

My letter,

Ms. Lawton,
This sign at Geno's is a tempest in a teapot. The last I heard business proprietors had the right to establish rules that governed their services.

Geno does not want the hassle of attempting to understand foreign languages. His business is food service....this could become unnecessarily complicated for him and his employees.

I don't appreciate your efforts to bring charges against Geno and his establishment. This is far too heavy handed.

For years businesses have displayed signs reading "No shirt, no shoes, no service"...and..."This establishment reserves the right to deny service to anyone".

Your position is not praiseworthy nor is it especially intelligent. I hope Geno's brings a lawsuit against you for your interference in his affairs.

Thank you,

Great e-mail, MustangJo....hope they get hammered a lot by people with commonsense.