Posted on 12/15/2007 6:28:56 AM PST by kellynla
A hearing was expected to continue into the evening on whether Geno's Steaks owner Joey Vento discriminated against non-English speaking patrons by posting an "Speak English" sign at his South Philadelphia shop. The Rev. James Allen, the chairperson of Commision on Human Relations, was the first witness to testify late this afternoon, followed by University of Pennsylvania professor Camille Charles.
Charles, a professor of sociology, said the number of foreign-born residents living in the South Philadelphia neighborhood near Geno's grew more than 200 percent between 1980 and 2000.
When shown historical signs from the Jim Crow era in the South that read "Whites Only," Charles said Vento's "Speak English" sign had the same impact on patrons.
More witnesses were expected to be called before the commision today and Rev. Allen, the chairman, vowed the hearing will not end until everyone has been heard.
Today's hearing is the result complaints in June 2006 about a sign Vento put in his steak-shop window saying, "This is America, when ordering, please 'speak English.' "
The notice soon generated national media attention, prompting a recent visit by Rudy Giuliani.
Before the testimony began today Vento's attorneys argued about the fairness of the hearing itself.
The attorneys for Vento charged that the proceedings were unfair for two reasons and asked that the case be thrown out. First, the attorneys said, the allegations were brought by the Rev. James S. Allen Sr., chairperson of Commission on Human Relations, the city agency adjudicating the case.
Second, the defense first learned of several commission witnesses, set to testify today, less than an hour before the hearing began at about 1:30 p.m. at the Quaker meeting house near Third and Arch Streets.
Defense attorneys, however, were required to submit their pretrial briefs and witness lists well in advance.
After Vento's attorneys asked for the case to be dismissed "without prejudice," the panel of commissioners recessed to consider their next step and then returned to continue the hearing.
More than 100 people attended, watching the proceedings in the unadorned 1804 structure, with its wooden floors and wooden pews.
Statements by either side were met with muttering or grumbling by the spectators.
Outside, one man held a "Hail Geno" sign bearing an American flag. A group wore black T-shirts with a message that Pennsylvania loves immigrants, the word loves symbolized by a heart.
Making most of the arguments for Vento's team was Shannon Goessling of the Southeastern Legal Foundation, based in Atlanta.
Leading the prosecution was commission counsel Paul M. Hummer, a partner in the law firm Saul Ewing.
The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations decided to charge that Vento discriminated against non-English speakers.
The commission alleges that Vento's sign violates the section of the city's Fair Practices Ordinance that prohibits the owner of a public accommodation from putting up a sign aimed at "any specific group" to make its members feel discriminated against or unwelcome.
Below the Geno's sign was another that stated, "Management reserves the right to refuse service."
LOL. Good point.
She sounds like the dinosaur political science professor the PBS station in NYC dug up on election night in 1993 and 1997 saying Giuliani was winning because white voters were expressing a sort of “white pride.” I almost vomited when I heard that.
Maybe if Philadelphia is hostile to Geno he ought to close up shop and move to a nicer city, taking his tax revenue with him.
cook em up, lol
I would have thought the first witness would have been an aggrieve non-English speaker who thought he or she was wronged...instead they call a professor to testify?
BS in the extreme...
Camille Charles....gives stupid women a good name!!!
many parts of this so-called metling pot naiton have immigrant businesses that have signs and conduct all business in languages other than english....of course to lib/dem educators....that is pc fine....it is just english and americans that they are against!!!!
Prosecution? This may be a silly question, but when was the Judicial Branch of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania done away with and replaced with the "Commision on Human Relations"?
It would not be a crime, but the fines are more extensive than a criminal penalty for most misdemeanors.
Couldn’t that be said for every major metropolitan city in America. After the ‘68 race riots, all major cities went to hell in a hand basket.
I thought the same thing. This show trial was a mockery of justice, so why not mock the mockery? Sometimes humor and satire are the best ways to make a point.
As Neal Boortz has repeatedly said, most people who use the word "racist" don't understand the meaning of the word.
Mark
I lived in Philly for years, in center city. We used to take the subway to South Philly just to have one of geno’s cheesesteaks, with lots of cooked onions. It was cholesterol heaven! This man is a patriot and has the courage of his convictions, he deserves our support. And you will love the cheesesteak. I wish I could have some delivered to Poughkeepsie NY.
Hey, bite me, Camille. You have no idea some of the food that was set in front of me in different European countries because I didn’t know what I was ordering. Take whatever the daily special is, pick up your fork, and dig in. Everyone around you looks healthy enough, don’t they?
Killadelphia, the City of Brothers Killing Eachother, has alot more pressing issues than signs in windows. The new Mayor doesn't seem like he will change the focus either...
Bisteak con queso, al Phiyee?
Which "specific group" is he discriminating against? French speakers, Ga speakers, Urdu speakers, Farsi speakers?...
DONE! Thank you so much for posting that link.
When I go to foreign countries, I have the courtesy to order my food in the native tongue. For instance, when I go to Germany, I am careful to say “frankfurter” instead of hot dog and “sauerkraut” instead of rotten cabbage that smells funny.
Interesting and useful idea... Along the same lines, let any convention sponsor (and their entire exhibitor list) coming to Philadelphia know that you won't be going there either...
How does one order a snadwich there and what is a wiz wit? Give this West Coast girl the details.
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