$0.00
NY Town Rallies in Support of Pizzeria’s Patriotic Flag Mural
By Tom Konecny
What could be more American than a pizza parlor? How about a pizza parlor with an American flag mural painted on it.
Maria Lisanti owns a small town pizzeria. Along the building’s exterior, a large blank wall has been subject to graffiti for 19 years. She decided to paint an American flag mural there and spruce things up. It all seems simple, unassuming and so patriotic. End of story, right?
Wrong. When her flag mural came to fruition, some people didn’t like it. Alas, a civic soap opera ensued. It got the attention of the mayor, police and several national media – all because of the flag.
“I couldn’t have planned or even imagined it,” Lisanti said.
It started in May, when Lisanti wanted to the paint the American flag on the side of her restaurant, La Bella Pizza Bistro in New Paltz, New York.
“I didn’t have a reason or never gave it much thought,” she said about her choice of a flag, though she considers herself a patriotic American. She discussed the plan with her restaurant’s building landlord and the mayor – one of her regulars. They loved the idea and suggested a GoFundMe campaign to make it a community-wide event. Lisanti never advertised her restaurant as the prime beneficiary of the mural; rather, she named the campaign, “Mural for New Paltz.” She envisioned it as a benefit for everyone. As monetary support rolled in, Lisanti interviewed artists and nailed down an initial design.
When work began around mid-October, a small group of citizens protested the mural. They didn’t want it. They insisted the flag symbolized oppression, hate, racism and other negatives. At least one person objected to how the mural would face a public middle school, forcing students to see it. Others called the sign overly political or pro-Trump. One protestor held a sign that read, “In memory of those murdered by American imperialism.”
“I am patriotic,” said Lisanti, whose new son-in-law serves in the Air Force. “(The flag) is nothing political. It stands for the country that we live in.”
The mural, Lisanti asserted, would be for everyone.
“I thought it would look beautiful and never thought that I had to give it a thought,” she said. “I was raised with those beliefs.”
One of Lisanti’s long-time friends, Joey Garcia, chose to counter the disapproval. He staged an October 21 pro-flag rally titled, American Flag Appreciation Walk and Ride. The event drew 500 people who paraded flags from La Bella’s to downtown New Paltz. Garcia, a veteran, carefully structured the event to focus on pride of the U.S. flag and love of America – no politics, negativity or engaging with the opposition was permitted.
“It was amazing,” Lisanti said. “We had veterans here. We announced their names. We had refreshments. We had military vehicles. And we raised money for the flag. People were so happy and so proud.”
Lisanti also pointed out – in bittersweet fashion – that more people showed up for the flag appreciation event than at any past Memorial Day parades.
About 25-30 protestors came, too. They were mostly college-aged students who wore masks and said “horrible things,” according to Lisanti, some even spitting toward the Marines on hand. About 150 state troopers and local police were visible, so there were no formal arrests or incidents – until a few weeks later.
In the overnight hours following election night (November 6), some protestors defaced the partially finished mural with red paint. The damage was repaired, but it started more local angst. It also fueled re-interest in the GoFundMe account, which garnered an additional $3,000 in one hour when viewers learned of its vandalizing. Donations came in from across the nation, some offering to buy lunch for local veterans.
Extra funding was used to install security cameras, and further monetary support will be used for lighting and graffiti-proof coating. Lisanti also had to offer protection for her artist while she finished the mural. Patrons continue to drop money in a donation jar on La Bella’s counter, others leave first responder patches and notes of encouragement.
“It’s just been really great – the patriotism and support has been awesome,” she said.
Though things have quieted down for now, detractors still show up on occasion. Lisanti takes the high road and never engages. She ignores it, but she does worry about the future of the mural. Lisanti finds the protestors and their masks cowardly, something flag bearers never do.
“We hold our flags proudly and no one covers their face when they’re holding the flag,” she said.
Since then, Lisanti and Garcia have appeared on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle” and in several national stories. She’s happy the flag mural made patriotism spike in New Paltz.
“It’s done for the most part,” Lisanti said. “It’s beautiful and I continue to get many, many compliments. People have said, ‘Be proud, this is what America needs.’”
Free Hugs Sponsored By God
You can't always tell when someone needs a hug, but people will know you...