A Florida tattoo shop owner is facing intense criticism after posting on Facebook that he would refuse service to active-duty military members and veterans, calling the armed forces “a bunch of war criminals.”
The Tuesday post from Revival Tattoo Collective in Largo, Florida, read in part: “People all in their feelings because I expressed my opinion of the military and law enforcement. My opinion is that the military is a bunch of war criminals and law enforcement kills babies and unarmed citizens in the street.”
The post told current and former service members not to visit the shop, warning they would be turned away.
The shop is owned by Brady Martinson. After the post went viral, Yelp was flooded with one-star reviews at such a rate that the platform suspended new comments, according to WTSP, the Tampa Bay CBS affiliate that first reported the story.
Social media users pushed back sharply. One commenter wrote that the post was “disappointing and immature,” arguing that condemning an entire group by the actions of a few is the same prejudice the owner claimed to oppose.
“I’ve served alongside people of every background imaginable and some of the most selfless, compassionate individuals I’ve met wear a uniform,” the commenter said.
Another user replied, “You’re welcome for your freedom of speech,” while a third wrote, “It must be so peaceful being this ignorant.”
A man at the building who identified himself as Mr. Martinson’s landlord told WTSP he had never heard the owner express negative opinions about the military or police, adding that he believed Mr. Martinson leaned to the right politically.
Mr. Martinson did not respond to media inquiries directly. After a reporter texted him asking whether he had made the post, the respondent said only “no comment” and to “run the story however [we] see fit.” When asked to confirm his identity, the person replied that he was “Brady’s lawyer” — but declined to provide a name when asked.
A spokesperson for the shop told Fox News Digital: “Yeah I’m booked up I can’t take any clients military or civilian. Thanks for your interest on my opinion.”
A tattoo shop of the same name in Hendersonville, North Carolina, said it was being flooded with negative Yelp reviews from users who apparently confused it with the Florida location. The two businesses are not affiliated.
The backlash came as polling continues to show broad public support for the armed forces. A February 2024 Pew Research Center survey found that 60% of Americans said the military has a positive effect on the country, with similar views held across most demographic and political groups.
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