Ruling: Geno's Steaks English-Only Signs Not Discriminatory

[Drew27k9]

PHILADELPHIA, PA.---- The owner of a famous cheesesteak shop did not discriminate when he posted signs telling customers "This is America: WHEN ORDERING 'PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH,"' a three-member city panel ruled Wednesday.

In a 2-1 vote, the Commission on Human Relations panel found that the two signs at Geno's Steaks do not violate the city's Fair Practices Ordinance. Shop owner Joe Vento posted them than two years ago because of concerns over immigration reform and the increasing number of people from the area who could not order in English.

Vento said he has never refused service to anyone because they couldn't speak English, but critics argued that the signs discourage customers of certain backgrounds from eating at the shop. The panel issued its ruling three months after a December public hearing in which one critic called the signs a reminder of the Jim Crow era.

Commissioners Roxanne E. Covington and Burt Siegel voted to dismiss the complaint, finding that the signage does not communicate that business will be "refused, withheld or denied."

In a dissenting opinion, Commissioner Joseph J. Centeno said he thought the signs did discourage some customers. "The sign appeared immediately above another sign that had the following words: 'Management Reserves the Right to Refuse Service,"' Centeno wrote.

Geno's and its chief rival across the street, Pat's King of Steaks, form the epicenter of an area described as "ground zero for cheesesteaks." The traditionally Italian community has become more diverse, with a growing number of immigrants from Asia and Latin America moving into the area.

Vento, the fiery grandson of Italian immigrants, had threatened to go to court if he lost. His attorney, Albert G. Weiss, said he was "pleasantly surprised" by Wednesday's decision.

"We expected that this was not going to go our way," Weiss said.

In June 2006, amid extensive publicity over the signs, the commission began looking into whether Vento was violating the city's ordinance banning discrimination in employment, public accommodation and housing on the basis of race, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

In February 2007, the commission found probable cause against Geno's for discrimination, alleging that the policy discourages customers of certain backgrounds from eating there.

The case then went to a public hearing, where an attorney for the commission argued that the sign was about intimidation, not political speech. The matter then went to the three-member panel for a ruling.

W. Nick Taliaferro, the commission's executive director, said he would not appeal.

"The commission has demonstrated its capacity to be fair and balanced," Taliaferro said. "This goes behind us."

Atlanta-based Southeastern Legal Foundation, a public interest law firm that also represented Vento, called the ruling a victory for free speech.

"This is a vindication of Joey Vento's First Amendment rights," said Shannon L. Goessling, the foundation's executive director and chief legal counsel.

http://www.nbc10.com/news/15644939/detail.html

[Super Six 5]

At least common sense won that one, although it should have been a 3-0 vote. :rolleyes:

Stupid Philadelphia.

[smcc360]

Good thing there's no crime in Skelladelphia, so they can focus on these important items of public interest.

Next on the hearing schedule: "Fire Hydrants- Red, Yellow, or Green?".

[mcsap]

Heaven forbid that any of our newest " residents " who dont speak English or speak it poorly must be catered to. America my be a melting pot but is an English speaking melting pot.

[danninator]

Also a very pro-leo establishment. Riddled with Daniel Faulkner memorials and patches from departments across the country.

Always a good late night stop when you're in the city. (Yes to me Philadelphia is "THE CITY")

[hd2]

"Cheesesteak" should transcend the language barrier and be a universal word! YUMMM lol. :p

I agree though the vote should have been 3-0 but it is a positive thing it passed.

[Alpha]

Heaven forbid that any of our newest " residents " who dont speak English or speak it poorly must be catered to. America my be a melting pot but is an English speaking melting pot.

The sad thing is when I was in europe with the army everyone spoke english. We have only ourselves to blame, everyone is so concerned with being labeled rascist that no one uses common sense anymore.

[Movementarian]

If they didn't speak English then they wouldn't have been able to read the sign anyway. What's the big deal?

[Cris1102]

Atlanta-based Southeastern Legal Foundation, a public interest law firm that also represented Vento, called the ruling a victory for free speech.

"This is a vindication of Joey Vento's First Amendment rights," said Shannon L. Goessling, the foundation's executive director and chief legal counsel.

Amen ... It's a start in the right direction

[Kate]

Pa. judge sentences 3 to learn English or go to jail

Philadelphia Inquirer

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - A Philadelphia cheese-steak shop gained fame with signs admonishing: "This is America: WHEN ORDERING 'PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH.'" Now an eastern Pennsylvania judge is ordering three men to learn English, or go to jail.

Luzerne County Judge Peter Paul Olszewski says three men facing prison for criminal conspiracy to commit robbery can be paroled, but only if they learn to read and write English, earn their GED and get a full-time job.

Olszewski notes that Luis Reyes, Ricardo Dominguez and Kelvin Reyes-Rosario, who range in age from 17 to 22, all needed translators Tuesday when they pleaded guilty. The judge, known for creative sentencing, is ordering them to return with their parole officers in one year and take an English test.

Attorneys for the men say they are studying the legality of the ruling and haven't decided whether to appeal.