Patrons Support Conflict Kitchen After Closure Following Death Threat
OAKLAND (KDKA) -- The Conflict Kitchen has been serving up the cuisine of countries often at odds with U.S. policy, including North Korea, Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran and Venezuela.
Its purpose is not only food, but food for thought. They started serving Palestinian food in October.
And on Friday, the Schenley Plaza eatery posted the following on their Facebook page: "We have received a letter today containing death threats and we will be closed until the credibility of the letter can be established by the Pittsburgh Police."
"And they choose these undemocratic, violent ways," said Ken Boas, who frequents Conflict Kitchen. "It's really terror - it's a terror campaign."
Many regular customers. like Boas, were upset.
"They've turned it over to the police, you know there are 18 people working here, or more, and they are trying to figure out how serious the threat might be," Boas added.
The dozens of yellow slips of paper taped to the restaurant's windows are not orders for Hummus, Baba Ghanoush or Masakhan - but messages of support like the one that reads: "No matter what you believe or where you are from violence is never the answer."
"It's really not about whether or not there's political controversy - it's about the humanity of it," said Pitt Senior Hadeel Salameh, a member of the "Students for Justice in Palestine."
the wrappers that the conflict kitchen sells its food in are printed with cultural information and statements from people in the country, in this case Palestine.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh released this statement which, in part, says: "We unequivocally condemn threats of violence directed at any of our neighbors in Pittsburgh. Attempts to silence Conflict Kitchen are diametrically opposed to the Jewish community's desire to engage in the broadest dialogue around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."
Starting Monday and every day from now on until the Conflict Kitchen re-opens, there will be a sit-in here at 5 p.m. by those who support what it stands for.
Monday night, supporters were gathered outside in a demonstration of solidarity and support.
As mostly college students spoke showed up for the rally outside the eatery, one speaker said "I support Conflict Kitchen, they got great food, and want to tell the whole story."
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