THE
GAZETTE VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 22 NOVEMBER 4, 2021
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WILTON MANORS
IN THIS TOGETHER Wilton Elementary School Community Supports Rosie’s
By John Hayden Rosie’s Bar & Grill has supported and “People started calling right away and engaged the students of Wilton Manors blowing up our phones, sending emails Elementary for years. Now they’re leaning on through the website, putting comments all each other as both absorb withering attacks over our social media posts.” fueled by right-wing media. Vile comments were made toward everyone Rosie’s routinely holds toy drives, art at the restaurant, including Zieba himself. exhibits, and more to “I said we did host some creatively enrich their lives. elementary school kids. He For a decade they’ve hosted called me a pedophile, that I was Callers, mostly kindergarteners for a day, grooming children, and said he teaching them about their hopes that I die.” from places other community, how a restaurant There have been no specified than South Florida, threats of violence directed works, and how to order and tip. Pictures from last Rosie’s, but they have been immediately began at week’s field trip were posted reporting disturbing calls to tying up the phone Wilton Manors police. However, on Facebook by one of the chaperones and were seized on threats have been made to the lines, making by reactionary conservatives, school, staff, and school board violent threats, who portrayed it as a trip for members, including Sarah elementary school students to Leonardi, who chaperoned one and hurling a gay bar. of the groups. SFGN has been Callers, mostly from told those are being investigated, ugly slurs at places other than South which agency or agencies are whoever answered but Florida, immediately began looking into them has not been tying up the phone lines, released. the phone. making violent threats, and hurling ugly slurs at whoever COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER answered the phone. On Oct. 29, members of the Wilton Manors Elementary community showed up to support ‘IT WAS A FIRESTORM’ and say thanks. Dozens of teachers, parents, Rosie’s co-owner John Zieba told SFGN that and students, past and present, came by for once Fox News published an innuendo-filled dinner and to lean on each other after a rough couple of days. They said they appreciate what story, things quickly got out of control.
Sarah Leonardi, pictured back right, during the field trip at Rosie’s Bar and Grill. Photo via @bcpsleonardi, Twitter.
Rosie’s does for the school throughout the year. “There’s a lot of families where the kids are much older now but are still coming in because of that experience. They feel good coming here,” Zieba said. Equality Florida also spoke out for the school and restaurant’s relationship. “Anyone who’s visited Wilton Manors knows your trip isn’t complete until you’ve tried one of Rosie’s famous burgers,” Senior Political Director Joe Saunders said. “This is a community institution thriving in the heart of one of the U.S.’s largest LGBTQ populations.”
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Zieba believes inclusiveness is a core value of Rosie’s, the school, and Wilton Manors. “We’ve made an effort from day one to be open to everybody. It’s worked out really well. People feel comfortable here.” While this faux controversy may break some spirits, that’s not the case here. The school community in attendance that night told SFGN they will always be here for the restaurant, and Zieba said the restaurant will always be there for them. “The kids are welcome anytime. The kids are amazing!”
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