SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB/Gray News) – A landscaper in Florida says he was denied service at an area nursery because of the flag he had on his truck.
Junior Celestino, a longtime landscaper in Manatee County, said an altercation recently took place at the Mariposa Nursery and Garden Center when he was trying to make a purchase.
Celestino shared a video of what went down that afternoon and said the owner told him that his Mexican flag “doesn’t fly here” and “this is America.”
The landscaper said he didn’t have any problems before this at the nursery as he has been a customer for more than 10 years.
But this time he was told to leave.
Police said they were called after the altercation by both parties involved.
The business owner said Celestino claimed the flag was “in protest” but Celestino refuted that.
Celestino said he plans to sue for discrimination and is organizing a protest outside the business next week.
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