Fighting porn

[Brighthand]

Well folks, I have to say that my school has had more publicity in the past week than in the past few years combined. The reason? The landlord for my center leased the space next to my school to an adult/porn store! Not something that makes jolly ol' me happy, I'll tell you that!

When they began moving products into their store they'd leave boxes full of sexual paraphenalia at the front door, hanging out of the boxes for all to walk by and see. The front counter had pu**y lollipops for god's sake! And you could see all of this just walking by the front door! Grrrrrrrrrr! They put up window splash art advertising lotions/oils/exotic gifts and bare ladies right next to my own window splash! People came into my school asking about freakin lingerie!

Newspapers, television stations, politicians, and city officials were called. The landlord's personal phone number was given to every single parent and student to call and complain. Petitions were created and signed by numbers of people. Letters were written in protest.

So? Several newspapers came out, took pictures, did interviews with me and ran their stories. The city suspended any licenses and permits upon further investigation. I received threatening letters from lawyers to shut-up or else I've been warned to expect attacks against either myself or my school. Several television stations came down, filmed and interviewed me and aired their pieces.

What's the result? The city has now denied all licenses and permits to the store to operate and, as a result of the TV news getting involved, the landlord (the same one who had lawyers threaten me to shut-up!) says he is going to revoke their lease!

You know what gets me though? None of the other neighboring businesses were going to do squat about it! One was even going to move! Sure, they hated the idea but weren't ready to go to battle against the landlord and the lawyers. As I see it, I have a responsibility to my students. I am not going to allow my children to have to see that stuff everytime they want to come to class. I will not allow the type of clientele that frequents those joints to hang out in front of my school. I will not turn my head to that type of infraction. If the lawyers take me to the bank, so be it. I've done the right thing and stood up for my beliefs, my students, and the integrity of what I teach.

[Wlerp]

Good for you. I am really impressed that someone would stand up when their business / livelyhood is at stake. Most would have turned tail and ran. Everyone can use you as an example of the "fighting spirit" that the martial arts instills in people. Thank you from all of us with children in the arts!!!!!!!!!!!:D

[Bob Hubbard]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't local zoning laws prevent that type of business from moving in next to yours? Especially with the 'child' customers you have?

In NY, they seem to be almost insane on the restrictions the adult businesses have. Can't be within so many feet of a school, church, or community center. Can't be on a route a kid might take home from school. Nothing in the windows. Really really restrictive. I kinda assumed it was that way (to an extent) through out the country.

I'm pretty open minded, but still...opening a porn shop next to a martial arts school, doesn't seem like an intelegent thing for either the porn shop owner or the landlord to allow.

Congrats and good luck.

[Bad Karma]

You get a standing ovation from me!

Peace

[Brighthand]

Correct, there are zoning laws but nothing that prohibits them from opening next to me. The city was out a few days age and measuring the distance from their business to a nearby church. The prohibitive distance is 500ft.

[jabonn]

Could be worse, you could live in Houston, TX were there are almost no Zoning Laws.

Thank you for standing up.

[Jeff Burger]

Congaradulations Mark for winning but most of all for trying to do something.

Apathy solves nothing.

JMB

[GM_Inglish]

Keep standing up for what is best.

In our area, there is a lot of gambling, alcohol, and pronography. I have sstood against it and have received 5,000+ pornographic and threatening emails since October 2001, along with harassment from some law enforcment and others.

Don't let them stop you.

[Jerusalem]

I am very impressed with the way you handled the situation.
You are an inspiration to us all. Thank you.

[taschedupree]

Well Done!!!

Although I firmly support the right of free speech and expression, I must admit that allowing a porn store to be placed next to your dojo was a HUGE mistake on part of the landlord. Especially since you teach children.

The "stereotypical" clientel that hangs out in those types of establishments would seriously cause a problem.

I'm just shocked and amazed that you were the only business owner to take a stand. Good for you!!

[Bonermeister]

Well done! I am glad to see things worked out for you!

:)

[Cliff Hargrave]

A+ for your effort!

[shevbo]

Well done for what you achieved!
There should be more people like you in this world.

[J.S.T.]

:) ;) :t2: :wink2: :laugh:

[Erik]

Congrats. Your actions were magnificent.

It amazes me how many people would rather whimp out and not do anything, least of all confront someone over an issure, than stand up for their beliefs and/or rights.

I had a landlord who kept breaking into the property we were renting, stealing stuff (usually bottles of alcohol), and had a history of restraining orders against him by old tenants as well as a $1/4 million injunction because he cut off someone's water supply by polluting their well.

I was the only member of the 12-person household who could be bothered to stand up to him, sue him, and (try) to collect.

I salute your efforts in standing up for yourself!

[Dennis Monk]

I read this thread earlier and just came back to it and read it again. I feel that anyone that opens up an adult video store, or sex toy palace next to, or in the vicinity of a karate school, playground, library, etc. is foolish and careless. If they want to have their business out on the highway, or in the "bad" part of town amongst the bars and night clubs, fine. Places where children are apt to be, such as these, should be protected. I also commend you, as the others have, in taking a stand in your area. I hope that the parents of any children in your school take note of the fact that you went the extra mile to ensure their safety.

Good luck in the future.

[poetic misjustice]

well done on that one, unfortunatly we don't actually have zoning laws but luckily my dojo's position in such a way that the nearest buildings are a hundred yards away, and they are houses, so i couldn't face that problem myself, but we do have laws stating that they arn't allowed to freely advertise in the window like that, personally i hate porn shops i think that porn is rather degrading, and i know you are probaly thinking "he's eighteen, he can't hate porn." but i do, so basically i commend you for taking a stand there i don't know many people who would go to those measures.

[X_plosion]

Congratulations on doing the right thing! Many businesses only care about their bottom line. However, you had children to protect. Methinks that the porn people and the landlord will think twice about pulling a stunt like that again.

[Black Tiger]

I think you shouldve sent your class in like a little army and beat up everything. But that's just me, and I just got back from the Transporter 2, so I'm a little pumped.

[MarcoPolo]

I think you taught your students a great lesson in character and courage from this incident than you could have in years of MA training. Character in action is an impressive thing.

(Standing ovation!)

[aznniteroad]

Good for you, you did the right thing.

[dsimons]

Congratulations on your 'victory' I guess it would be called. I am glad that there is some hope that the good people can have some say and power in our environments.