OGDEN, utah - (ABC 4 News) - At OMG Cafe--which stands for "Ogden Municipal Gardens" Cafe--they've received some complaints. But they've also been receiving a lot of support.
Tis the season for complaints. The reason? The sign above the cafe that says: "Happy Birthday Jesus".
"Actually, it was my daughters idea to have a birthday party for Jesus, because it's all about Jesus," explains Leasa Ray, owner of OMG Cafe.
But now, many Ogden residents are coming out to support Leasa and her cafe.
"My sister and I came down to support her, because this is so rare," says Kellie Diersman.
David Willis came to the cafe to buy a 25 dollar gift card to give to the homeless shelter.
"I did this to show support for a local business and show support for the spirit of Christmas," explains David.
Leasa and her business partner Rena Austin were told by officials at Downtown Ogden Inc. about the complaints, and suggested they take the sign down.
"He just said it'd be better if we took it down," says Leasa.
"I feel like this freedom of speech, that's what our country was founded on, and to have them ask us to take it down, I think is just a little saddening," says Rena.
But Leasa doesn't own the building--only the business. She leases the building from Downtown Ogden Inc, and it sits on the same lot as Ogden's popular Christmas Village.
"The business owner is renting this space. This is America, the First Amendment prevails," David says.
"I'm not trying to convince anybody," Leasa says. "I'm just celebrating Christmas the way it is for me."
