English is the language of the United States. To suggest otherwise is ludicrous.

Having said that, I do not doubt Mr. Vento will lose. The first two comments correctly point out that non-English speakers cannot logically be made uncomfortable by a sign they cannot read. Unfortunately, logic has nothing to do with this case. Bienvenidos a los Estados Unidos. Puedo tomar su orden?

The law in question is not an “English only” law, it’s a “no language may be required” law (which, I am compltely certain, is not nforced in a manner that remotely resembles “evenly”).

People are free to order in any language they wish. The host of the establishment is free to understand or not understand any language he wishes. If his only language is english then he cannot reasonably be expected to accept an order not placed in english. Failing to speak english is not a handicap that requires special accomodation by private individuals. If an individual were to show up at your place of business speaking swahili would you be required to accomodate this by obtaining a translator at your own expense?

His is a place of public accomodation because it invites the public into his privately owned space. There is nothing public otherwise about his establishment

“The Human Rights Commission apparently is alleging (Geno’s Steaks) violated a section of the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance that prohibits the owner of a public accommodation from putting up a sign aimed at “any specific group” to make its members feel discriminated against or unwelcome.