Memories Pizza became the target of internet backlash after owner Crystal O’Connors told ABC 57 that the business wouldn’t cater a same-sex wedding because she and her family are Christians and their faith doesn’t support same-sex marriages. However, they wouldn’t deny service to anyone who dined at their restaurant.
“We’re not discriminating against anyone, that’s just our belief and anyone has the right to believe in anything,” she said.
- RELATED: Owners of Memories Pizza in Walkerton announces support for religious freedom law, April 1, 2015
A website purported to be that of the Walkerton pizzeria displayed pornography and graphic language on Wednesday afternoon.
A Google search showed early Wednesday afternoon that the website redirected to a dating website for gay men. Later in the day, the website was removed from Google, but users who went directly to the website found pornographic images and lewd commentary. The Memories Pizza website appeared at the top of the site with the slogan, “Call us to cater your gay wedding.”
The business’s Facebook and Yelp pages have also been bombarded by comments from users who are upset by O’Connors’ comments.
- RELATED: Memories Pizza receives internet backlash after owners say they wouldn’t cater same-sex weddings, April 1, 2015
Meanwhile, a Concord High School coach has been suspended, pending an investigation, after allegedly threatening arson against the restaurant on Twitter.
- RELATED: Concord coach invites Twitter to ‘burn down’ RFRA-supporting pizzeria, is subsequently suspended, April 1, 2015
A tweet was sent from a Twitter account believed to be that of girl’s golf coach Jess Dooley on Tuesday night. The tweet under @dooley_11 said “Who’s going to Walkerton, IN to burn down #memoriespizza w me? Agree with #FreedomofReligion bill? “That’s a lifestyle they CHOOSE” Ignorant”
The account was deleted sometime after that post was made.
In light of the allged threat, the Walkerton Police Department stepped up patrols and issued a statement to the public, asking all frustrations and rebuttals with Memories Pizza’s recent media statements remain within the law.
Their statement also indicated that police completed an investigation into Jess Dooley’s alleged tweet suggesting arson and summited a case to the St. Joseph County Prosecutors office for possible charging of harassment, intimidation, and threats.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The original version of this story said that the Memories Pizza website was hacked. The business did not have a website. Michiana’s News Channel regrets the error.
