I know this story has been out for a few days, but I didn't have a chance to write about it until today. What has been the norm since Obama took the White House is that whenever a small business protests something the government has done to protect civil rights, it tends to be something from a right wing establishment like "when ordering "speak English," but not from Rocco’s Little Chicago Pizzeria in Tucson.
They responded with an ingenious sign that discriminates against the state legislature that passed SB1062, or what I call Arizona's Sharia Law bill.
An Arizona pizzeria served up a piping-hot plate of payback in response to a discriminatory bill that threatens the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
This week, both houses of the state legislature passed Senate Bill 1062, which gives Arizona business owners the right to deny service to gays and others on the basis of religious freedom. While conservatives contend the legislation is meant to prevent discrimination against the faithful, Arizona Democrats say it is plain old discrimination.
On Thursday, Tucson-based restaurant Rocco's Little Chicago Pizzeria displayed a window sign directed at the very legislators who back the regulation. A photo of the sign was posted to Facebook, along with this message: "Funny how just being decent is starting to seem radical these says [sic].
Rocco DiGrazia, told the Arizona Daily Star that:
"I was appalled by the senate passing the law," he said. "So, I put something on Facebook saying we're not gonna serve Arizona legislators." A customer then emailed DiGrazia a sign, which he printed out and posted.
Since the sign was posted Thursday, DiGrazia said he has gotten thousands of likes on Facebook and retweets on Twitter, and has received emails from across the globe. He's even been asked where people can get the sign to take to a Phoenix rally."The sentiment is that any expansion of discrimination is gonna hurt everybody and open the doors for more," he said.
Response has been positive so far, and he isn't concerned about possible backlash. DiGrazia said the pizzeria has gotten more customers today because of his stance. However, he's not trying to be a political activist or a hero. "I just did something I thought was a step in the right direction to combat the behavior in Phoenix that I don't condone."
That's the way to do it, Rocco!!!
