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After complaint, Geno's Steaks owner removes offensive Confederate sticker

As U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham called for his home state to remove the Confederate battle flag from the South Carolina statehouse in the wake of a racially motivated shooting, a city resident says he wants a Confederate flag-themed sticker removed from a South Philadelphia legend’s motorcycle.

Phil Dahl, a South Philadelphia resident, wanted Geno's Steaks to remove a Confederate flag-themed sticker from its legendary founder's motorcycle, which is on display across the street from the famous steak shop. The sticker was removed hours later. (Courtesy of Phil Dahl and Rob Tornoe)
Phil Dahl, a South Philadelphia resident, wanted Geno's Steaks to remove a Confederate flag-themed sticker from its legendary founder's motorcycle, which is on display across the street from the famous steak shop. The sticker was removed hours later. (Courtesy of Phil Dahl and Rob Tornoe)Read more
    by Ryan Briggs, For Philly.com
    Published 

Hours after a South Philadelphia resident voiced concerns over a Confederate-flag themed sticker, visible on the displayed motorcycle built for the legendary Geno's Steaks founder, the sticker was removed.

The neon-orange Harley Davidson made for Joey Vento, the late proprietor of the legendary steak shop and who had the rebel flag tatooed on his forearm, was enshrined in a display window across the street from the popular eatery. The motorcycle beared a Confederate flag decal and the words "Ain't Scared" on its battery cover.

Phil Dahl contacted Philly.com Monday afternoon about the motorcycle in the wake of the Charleston, South Carolina, shooting, in which a white gunman targeted and killed nine African-American parishioners at a prominent church. Dahl said that while the decal could easily be missed by the occasional tourist, it is what the flag represents — a government that fought to preserve the institution of slavery — that couldn't be ignored.

"I've walked passed this monstrosity for four years now, and I just can't believe no one has said anything about it," said Dahl. "Maybe that says something about our own perceptions and blind spots to these sorts of things."