A Little Caesars restaurant near Snellville, Georgia, is facing backlash after posting a sign warning customers that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would be called if “suspicious activity” was detected.
The sign, written in Spanish, read: “No eating or loitering in the store. Any suspicious activity will be reported to ICE.” The message was first noticed by customers, including Minerva Solano, who described it as “intimidating” and “a threat toward the minority community.”
Caleb Marsh, who identified himself as the general manager of the Stone Mountain Highway location, defended the sign, stating that it was meant to “keep people safe.” When asked if Little Caesars corporate had approved the message, Marsh admitted he wasn’t sure but insisted he was acting in the interest of the community.
“If you know people are going to be offended, if they’re not here legally, you know, they can be offended,” Marsh said. “If you’re not here legally, you know, you shouldn’t be here. There’s a process.”
Following media attention, the sign was altered to read: “Anything suspicious will be reported to law enforcement.”
Little Caesars corporate quickly distanced itself from the controversy, issuing a statement confirming that the sign had been removed. “We have contacted the franchisee of the independently owned location, and the sign has been removed. This does not represent our policy,” the statement read.
For some customers, the damage was already done. Solano, who had been a patron of the location, said the sign permanently changed her view of the restaurant. “That was the last time,” she said.
