After New York City Bombing, Minnesota Restaurant Owner Refuses Service To Muslims

A Minnesota restaurant owner is under fire for displaying a sign that reads: “Muslims Get Out.”

Dan Ruedinger, who owns Treats Family Restaurant in Lonsdale, Minnesota, said his business has actually increased since the controversial sign went up Monday, CBS Minnesota reported. “It’s time that people started standing up, not worrying about the PC crowd and do what is right,” Ruedinger insisted.

The sign was not deliberately targeting all Muslims but instead calls out extremists, Ruedinger claimed. “And that’s all I can say. It’s my right and I’m going to stand up, and I wish more people would do it,” he said.

Ruedinger said following weekend terrorist attacks in St. Cloud, Minnesota, New York City and New Jersey, he decided to voice his opinion. “Some Muslims are good people and want a better life,” he said. “They need to step up, take control and hold the others accountable.”

Federal authorities were investigating reports of terrorism across the nation after a pipe bomb exploded Saturday morning on the route of a charity race in New Jersey. Hours later, a man stabbed eight people at a shopping mall in Minnesota, while in New York City, a pressure cooker filled with shrapnel exploded, leaving 29 people with injuries. New Jersey saw another potential attack Sunday, when explosive devices were found outside a garbage bin in Elizabeth.

Some Lonsdale residents called the anti-Muslim sign an inappropriate response to the weekend's violence.

“That’s giving Lonsdale a bad rap to everyone that drives by on 19, which is a very busy road, so people are going to see that and they’re going to think Lonsdale as a whole, as a community, is as crass as that sign,” Payten Estepp said.

The mayor of the town insisted the sign was not a reflection of the community. “Certainly and in no way does the city condone discrimination,” Mayor Tim Rud told local reporters.