by KYW's Paul Kurtz and Jim Melwert
Joey Vento, the flamboyant owner of Geno's Steaks in South Philadelphia, was back in the spotlight Friday, defending a controversial sign he placed in the window of his cheesesteak shop.
Ironically, the Philadephia Commission on Human Relations held a hearing that focuses on alleged intolerance inside a symbol of tolerance: the Quaker meetinghouse at 4th and Arch Streets in Old City.
The commission accused Vento (right) of discriminating against foreigners when he posted a sign in his window saying, "This is America -- when ordering, speak English."
The commission called several witnesses, including Rev. James Allen, chairman of the commission.
On the stand, Allen said the sign at Geno's steaks reminded him of signs he saw growing up in segregated South.
In his defense, Vento said he has never turned away a customer, but he wanted to send the message that people who choose to live in America should learn to speak English.
When Vento took the stand, he said that he did not put up the sign to be offensive, but rather, he put it up in part for political purposes, citing President Teddy Roosevelt's Immigration Policy of 1907.
Vento said he also put up the sign for business reasons -- because he wants to keep the line moving.
Defense attorneys said this was a first amendment case, that the language on the sign was not directly tied to ethnicity.
If found guilty, Vento could be fined heavily and have his business license revoked.
Vento hired a Constitutional public interest law firm, and one of his attorneys said he is shocked that the city is pursuing this case.
In February, the commission found “probable cause” against Geno’s Steaks for discrimination.
The commission has not alleged that he has denied service to anyone, nor “actually discriminated” in any manner against any patron.
Vento, whose grandparents immigrated to America from Sicily, has repeatedly said he is expressing his Constitutionally protected political and personal views that English should be the official and adopted language of our nation.
"I'm a multi-millionaire. I've got more money than I could ever spend in my lifetime. What am I going to do? Put my wife on my Harley, go out into the sunset, and I'll be martyr."
The commission said it will at least two months before a ruling is made.
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