Racist Rant Sparks Outpouring Of Support For Hatboro Pizza Place

Disclaimer —The video on the link contains vulgar language and remarks.

HATBORO, PA —The recent racist rant against Amy's Family Pizzeria that was captured on a TikTok video sparked an outpouring of support and calls for the business to create a GoFundMe page.

On Friday, Rita Bellew, 55, of Hatboro, was charged via summons with ethnic intimidation and harassment for her Feb. 23 rant. Hatboro Police Chief James E. Gardner and Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele announced the charges.

The video shows Bellew berating staff with a profane, racially fueled tirade. Bellew was apparently triggered, at least in part, by a Spanish broadcast being shown on a television in the restaurant, police said.

Following the rant, the business was bombarded by customers showing their support by placing food orders and posts on social media.

On Friday, new State Rep. Melissa Cerrato teamed up with state Rep. Nancy Guenst —who is based in Hatboro —to have lunch at the eatery along with members of their staff.

"After my staff and I heard about a horrible incident that occurred at Amy’s Pizza in Hatboro, we found ourselves truly horrified that someone could live with such hate in their heart and would choose to treat a hardworking family-owned small business and its staff so poorly," said Cerrato, who represents neighboring Horsham Township.

Cerrato said that she and Guenst had discussed a collaborative staff meeting to plan some joint events for constituents and decided that Amy's Family Pizzeria would be the perfect place.

Bellew claims that her family has been part of the Hatboro community for 200 years and that her grandfather fought in World War II.

Watch the video here.

Amy's Family Pizzeria also decided to create a GoFundMe page so people could continue to show their support.

"We have been asked by many to make a GoFundMe," Amy's said in a Facebook post on Sunday. "We appreciate all of the kind words you have all said to us and any support you have brought our way. Thank you for everything. We love you all."

Michael Quinonez created the fundraiser last week saying that Omar Quiñonez, his family, and his employees at the pizzeria he owns "endured a terrible racist rant."

Donations pledged to the page have topped $1,000 so far.

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