Outrage erupted online after the owner of a Florida tattoo shop name Revival Tattoo Collective said he does not serve members of the military and made a series of controversial accusations about them. The owner’s remarks quickly spread across social media, prompting widespread criticism.
The situation gained attention after a Facebook post shared by the owner went viral. From the post, it appeared that he had already received backlash over his views on the military and law enforcement. “People all in their feelings because I expressed my opinion of the military and law enforcement,” he wrote.
In the rest of the post, the owner made serious accusations toward members of the military, referring to them as “war criminals.” He also criticized law enforcement in the same post. “My opinion is that the military is a bunch of war criminals and law enforcement kills babies and unarmed citizens in the street,” he wrote.
The owner made it clear that his opinion would not change despite the backlash he received. According to his post, some of the responses included people calling him “short,” threatening to contact the health department, and directing homophobic slurs toward him. He argued that those reactions only reinforced his views, writing, “That only proves my point and shows the true character of our military. Thanks for showing your true colors.”
The owner doubled down on his position in the remainder of the post, adding a middle finger emoji directed at military members. He also stated that he would not provide services to either former or current members of the military. “You will be turned away,” he wrote.
In response to the backlash, the owner shared screenshots of messages that contained threats directed at both him and his tattoo shop. The controversy also led to a wave of negative reviews being posted about the business. Following the influx of reviews, the ability to leave new reviews on the shop’s Google listing was suspended.
Viewers Outraged After Florida Shop Owner’s Opinion
The post sparked reactions online. Many viewers were left outraged by the post shared by the Florida tattoo shop owner. The controversy prompted calls for a boycott of the business. Some commenters also argued that the owner should face consequences for his remarks. “Make them famous!” one person wrote. Another commenter said, “I don’t do tattoos, but I’ll tell my friends that do get tattoos about this place. As in, to avoid it like the plague.”
Someone else tried to advice the owner as they said, “This kind of thinking is disappointing and immature. Judging an entire group by the actions of a few is the same type of prejudice I’m sure you claim to oppose. (IE: Against a race, the lgbtq community, etc…) There are good and bad people in every profession and every walk of life. I’ve served alongside people of every background imaginable and some of the most selfless, compassionate individuals I’ve met wear a uniform. Reducing millions of military members and law enforcement officers to the worst examples among them isn’t being ‘woke’ or smart- it’s just bias. If you are going to reject stereotypes, you should reject them consistently. Heal yourself and break this never-ending cycle of conflict among humans.”
The post sparked a conversation about attitudes toward military service. Many people argued that members of the armed forces should be respected regardless of political disagreements. It also led to broader discussions about free speech. Many commenters noted that while individuals are entitled to express their opinions, they can face public criticism and boycotts.
