A Temple University student has been suspended after an antisemitic sign at a sports bar in Philadelphia went viral online. The owner of the company behind the bar also spoke out and said he is demanding answers.
The antisemitic sign was held up by a waitress at Barstool Sansom Street and was shared on X in a video that was taken from an Instagram user’s story.
Two hours later, the owner of Barstool, Dave Portnoy, held what he called an “Emergency Press Conference” in reaction to the sign.
In his video shared to social media, he said that the waitresses who were taking care of the table that ordered the sign were fired.
“Tell me how do I make this f***ing right?,” Portnoy said in the video. “What I’m saying is I’m getting the names. I’m trying to be a little responsible. I’m trying to keep it together, but I’m on it.”
Portnoy also said “two kids go to Temple” while talking about how he is going to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
In a statement on Sunday, Temple University President John Fry wrote that the Division of Student Affairs is investigating the incident. So far, investigators connected one student to it and that student has been placed on interim suspension.
“In the strongest terms possible, let me be clear: antisemitism is abhorrent. It has no place at Temple and acts of hatred and discrimination against any person or persons are not tolerated at this university,” Fry wrote.
NBC10 has reached out to the Philadelphia Police Department and Barstool Sansom Street and is waiting to hear back.
If you have any information on this incident, Temple’s president asked that you contact the Dean of Students by emailing [email protected] right away.
