The owner of a café in upstate New York is refusing to remove a “God Bless America” banner from the porch of her establishment after the town insisted she take it down.
The Daily Wire is reporting on the banner which was hung by Jennifer Aquino, owner of the 5 Mile Café in Penfield, New York. Aquino decided to hang the banner in honor of the victims of the Orlando terror attack.
“After the happenings in the news this past week I have decided, against the Towns [sic] wishes, to display my ‘God Bless America’ banner,” Aquino announced Thursday on Facebook. “It is a sign of my patriotism and support of all of the victims and families of the recent violence in our country. In these times we need God’s hand and blessing on us. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!”
The town is insisting that she remove the banner because of a code which classifies it as an “advertisement” for recreational activities. Businesses are only permitted to advertise recreational activities outdoors for three weeks a year and Aquino has already met that limit.
Therefore, she received an email from Jim Costello, Penfield’s director of development services, asking her to remove the banner.
She refuses to do so.
Regardless of the rules, Aquino feels she should be allowed to make a positive statement on her own time.
“If I get fined I’ll pay the fine,” she said.
But judging by the vast outpouring of public support, she won’t have to dig too deep into her pocket. In addition to offering to cover the fine, she has been inundated with cards and well-wishes from people who are grateful for the banner and her refusal to remove it. A petition has also been started on her behalf.
“I grew up in Penfield and it is upsetting to me. I stand in solidarity with you. God Bless America,” wrote Kelly Leszczewski on the café’s Facebook page.
“Stand your ground! Or how about renaming your cafe to be ‘God Bless America Café,’” suggested Tim Thomas.
Another commenter suggested that she take down the banner and have the message painted on the building instead. That way she won’t have to worry about violating any of the town’s codes.
However, “Larry from North Carolina” perfectly summed up the dozens of comments on the page: “May GOD bless you. It’s about time people start standing up for GOD. We need more of this in America.”
