Holiday Club Co-Owner Resigns Due To Outrage Over Social Media Meme (UPDATED)

The meme posted on the
now-inaccessible Facebook page
of Peter Malek

On Tuesday morning, an Uptown resident named Peter Malek posted a meme on his Facebook page slamming illegal immigration and depicting a Latina mother with her child. It was originally posted by a right-wing Tea Party group on Facebook and was shared by Mr. Malek on his personal page.

What made it notable was that Mr. Malek's personal Facebook page also identified him as a co-owner of the group that operates the Holiday Club, 4000 North Sheridan.

Almost immediately, social media exploded with the news, and further examination of Mr. Malek's Facebook page showed a video supporting a driver who deliberately drove into a crowd of "libtard protesters." He had also posted a photo of himself wearing a jacket with an SS Eagle/double lightning bolt patch on it. The Anti-Defamation League describes the symbol as "a common white supremacist/neo-Nazi symbol."

One wonders what would cause someone who dislikes "libtards" and wears Neo-Nazi gear to live in and set up a business in Uptown -- a community widely known as a port of entry, one that prides itself on its diversity, and one where organizations like RefugeeOne and Apna Ghar are located. Mr. Malek indicates that he himself is an immigrant from Poland.

Photo credit: Kendall Thacker/Time Out Chicago

Long-time customers and groups that frequented the Holiday Club flooded social media with promises to boycott the bar, and demanded an explanation. One-star reviews of the Holiday Club were posted to Yelp and Facebook. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Malek made his Facebook page unavailable shortly after noon.

By the end of the day, the other two co-owners of the Holiday Club said that they were legally separating themselves from Mr. Malek and that he was resigning as a co-owner. In a statement posted at 6:05pm, the Holiday Club said on Facebook:

I would just like to reiterate our deepest apologies for the disgusting rhetoric displayed by resigning Co Owner Peter Malek on his personal Facebook page. Again it is horrid, disgraceful and in no way represents the other owners or staffs opinions. This obtuse and deplorable opinion aired by Peter is in direct contrast to our very “forward” thinking establishment as well as to the other two owners (who happened to be people of color and children of immigrants). Take no pause that this is being taken seriously and due to Peter’s new found voice he will no longer be a part of Holiday Club and it’s inclusiveness. Again this is a minority owned business in “its majority of shares” and we will be using that majority ownership forcefully. The statements made by Peter will not be tolerated with in our corporation as we make our effort to continue the culture of inclusivity Holiday Club is known for.
- Benjamin Greene Co Owner.
- Sonny Domingo Co Owner.

Since Peter T. Malek is listed as the president of Holiday Bar Group, Inc. in its incorporation papers, it may be a while before he is legally untangled from an ownership share.

The First Amendment guarantees citizens the freedom of speech. It does not mean that freedom of speech ensures freedom from the consequences of what you say.

Hint for those who hate "libtards" and wear Neo-Nazi gear: Uptown is not a place your message will garner a lot of support.

Update: Ald. Cappleman posted in the comments, "It's our diversity that makes us strong. Kudos to the 2 co-owners Benjamin Greene and Sonny Domingo for their quick action to ensure their business adheres to the values of Chicago as a Welcoming City for all. We cannot tolerate bigotry in any form.... not here in the 46th Ward; not anywhere."