Restaurant owner blames liberal, LGBTQ critics for losing investors: 'They made me out to be racist and homophobic'
A restaurant owner in Fayetteville, Ark. is asking for an apology from the LGBTQ community and liberals after he claims he is unable to open his business due to their criticism. Paul Dunn, co-owner of the unopened The New American restaurant, says that the LGBTQ and liberals have until Aug. 13 to apologize; otherwise, he will "see them on the dark side of the moon." Dunn did not elaborate to KFSM on what the Pink Floyd album reference meant.
On Monday, Dunn stood outside of The New American to inform people on why the restaurant has not yet opened its doors, alleging that the music venue with a bar and restaurant has lost its investors after members of the local community accused Dunn of being homophobic and racist.
Dunn, who says everyone would be welcomed at his restaurant, came under fire after an article was published in the Fayetteville Flyer, and spread further on Facebook groups, which featured screenshots from Dunn's alleged personal social media account.
Dunn claims he is being attacked for his restaurant's values, which, he says, are aligned with what President Donald Trump is attempting to reinstall in America.
"The LGBT community, the liberal community, started making out The New American as racist and homophobic," Dunn told KFSM. "They tied it to Donald Trump and Make America Great Again. They made me, Paul Dunn, out to be racist and homophobic without even knowing me."
According to Dunn, $140,000 has already been invested into renovations for the restaurant, but due to the negative attention he has garnered on social media, investors are now pulling out. He says that without investors, The New American will not be able to open.
"It was very wrong, very wrong for the LGBT community and the liberal community to attack me and my business and violate our constitutional right to free enterprise just because they don't either agree with a political view or with these values," Dunn told the station.
"If the LGBT community and the liberal community do not apologize by Aug. 13, I'll see them on the dark side of the moon," Dunn said, without elaborating.
Dunn also added that the delayed opening was due to a fire marshal finding problems regarding the restaurant's fire suppression system, which were never finished.
Dunn provided a flyer to those who attended his Monday press conference, as well as a copy to KFSM.
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