Today, a group of San Diego small business owners will stand up to the hateful rhetoric surrounding the presidential election by posting signs declaring that “All Are Welcome Here” and “Hate Has No Business Here.” In three popular shopping and restaurant districts, small business leaders will walk door to door encouraging other shops to display the welcoming posters and show that inclusionary policies are good for the business bottom line.
Today’s initiative which takes place from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. is organized by Main Street Alliance of San Diego, a chapter of a national network of small business coalitions working to build a new voice for small businesses on important public policy issues.
“In a time when people are often labeled “outsider” and “other,” these small business owners in San Diego want customers to know that all are welcome,” wrote Main Street Alliance of San Diego in an email to LGBT Weekly. “Small businesses provide opportunity to those who might have historically gone without it, including women, minorities, immigrants and members of the LGBTQ community. This poster celebrates this diversity in San Diego, and in light of the intolerant rhetoric surrounding the presidential election, encourages San Diego businesses to reject racism, misogyny and bigotry.”
The San Diego small business leaders participating include Juan Pablo of Super Cocina in City Heights, Mikey Knab of Ponce’s Restaurant and Rocio’s Restaurants on Adams Avenue and John Bertsch of Meshuggah Shack in Mission Hills.
