A restaurant in Huntington Beach in southern California is sparking outrage as they "fight against lockdown tyranny" by asking customers to show proof of being unvaccinated.
The Italian restaurant—Basilico's Pasta E Vino owned by Tony Roman—posted proudly on their social media and in their restaurant window last week.
The sign read:
"Notice proof of being UNvaccinated required."
"We have a zero tolerance for treasonous, anti-American stupidity."
"Thank you for pondering."
This post currently has over five thousand likes.
The Los Angeles Times caught up with Roman who said:
"With warning signs of another impending lockdown, and many business owners again emboldening those who I refer to as 'the lockdown tiny tyrants' — this time by imposing proof-of-vaccination policies — we chose to fire another missile of defiance to further make our point in defense of American liberty and freedom."
Though the customers won't actually have to prove they are unvaccinated, since no such documents exist, they are still taking a stance.
On the Basilico's Pasta E Vino Facebook page, you can see the nine and a half minute long video explaining what Tony Roman and his restaurant has been through since sparking this outrage.
The first several minutes are text over a black screen that says:
"'The Basilico's Declaration and Pledge of Defiance' Challenging fellow business owners to fight with us and fight like us!"
"You're not fighting for something important unless there is risk of serious consequences!"
According to the video, they've received hundreds of "one star hateful reviews online," their landlord threated to evict them, celebrities lanced boycotts of their restaurant, and the owner has received multiple death threats. Also they say the local and state government threatened to shut them down, and there was a criminal case against them, among other things. Plus, their liquor license was almost revoked as well.
Apparently, Paramount studios threatened to sue, which may be because of a billboard they ran with the quote and iconic puppeteer hand that said:
"Leave the mask, take the cannoli."
They also have allegedly been threatened with penalties up to $152,060.
The Facebook post had a link to their Declaration and Pledge, which is a four page document outlining their sand for "American Freedom and Liberty" to defend against the "mini dictators," otherwise known as the Center for Disease Control and U.S. Government.
The post has reached far, and many people commented on the cleanliness overall of the restaurant.
Twitter also had a good laugh about this outrageous declaration.
According to LA Times, only about 56% of Orange County, where the restaurant is located, is fully vaccinated.
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