Published: Sunday, October 9, 2005
'Speak English' sign
will stay posted,
tavern owner says
MASON, Ohio (AP) — A tavern owner vows he won't take down a window sign that declares, "For Service, Speak English."
The Ohio Civil Rights Commission ruled Thursday that the sign at the Pleasure Inn violates state discrimination laws and creates an affront to Hispanics.
But tavern owner Tom Ullum said the sign is meant to be tongue in cheek.
"We get Mexicans in here all the time, and I don't discriminate," said Ullum, who has owned the tavern for 21 years.
Ohio law says it is unlawful for any proprietor of a place of public accommodation to deny the full enjoyment of the accommodations based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or ancestry.
The commission said the English-only rule serves no purpose other than to discriminate against non-English speaking individuals.
Ullum could be ordered to pay for advertisements about nondiscrimination, and his staff could be ordered to undergo diversity training or cultural sensitivity training.
Ullum is reviewing the issue with his attorney and has nine days to file a motion with the commission asking it to reconsider. If he does, the commission will hold a hearing on Oct. 27 at Cincinnati City Hall.
Mason is about 20 miles northeast of Cincinnati.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Sunday, October 9, 2005
MASON, Ohio (AP) — A tavern owner vows he won't take down a window sign that declares, "For Service, Speak English."
The Ohio Civil Rights Commission ruled Thursday that the sign at the Pleasure Inn violates state discrimination laws and creates an affront to Hispanics.
But tavern owner Tom Ullum said the sign is meant to be tongue in cheek.
"We get Mexicans in here all the time, and I don't discriminate," said Ullum, who has owned the tavern for 21 years.
Ohio law says it is unlawful for any proprietor of a place of public accommodation to deny the full enjoyment of the accommodations based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or ancestry.
The commission said the English-only rule serves no purpose other than to discriminate against non-English speaking individuals.
Ullum could be ordered to pay for advertisements about nondiscrimination, and his staff could be ordered to undergo diversity training or cultural sensitivity training.
Ullum is reviewing the issue with his attorney and has nine days to file a motion with the commission asking it to reconsider. If he does, the commission will hold a hearing on Oct. 27 at Cincinnati City Hall.
Mason is about 20 miles northeast of Cincinnati.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Sunday, October 9, 2005
A tavern owner vows he won't take down a window sign that declares, "For Service, Speak English."
The Ohio Civil Rights...
