Manny Castro Claims Responsibility for Vandalizing Chick-Fil-A with "Tastes Like Hate"

losangeles.grubstreet.com

They say that two wrongs don't make a right. Vandalism occurred during the protest by LGBT individuals responding to Chick-Fil-A appreciation day last Wednesday. The Kiss-In protest called for same sex couples to kiss outside Chick-Fil-A restaurants in response to the chain owner's declaration of opposition to non-traditional marriages. In Chicago, a preacher was berated outside of one of the fast food joints. Here in California, "tastes like hate" was scrawled on the wall of a Torrance, CA establishment. As noted in a blog on the LA Times, the valdalism directly affected the owner of the Torrence, CA Chick-Fil-A store who "may not necessarily share Cathy's view."When the San Francisco Chronicle published a report of the incident on Friday morning, no suspects were identified. However, Hollywood artist Manny Castro soon took responsibility for the graffiti. Here he is:

@mannycastronow



In an interview with the Huffington Post, Castro did not show remorse, but rather defended his actions. As he stated in the interview...

Everybody is entitled to free speech, but it seems like for the gay tribe, this is more of an issue of equal rights -- human rights," explained Castro. "I'm against what these people stand for, what this company stands for. They're trying to take away what little rights we already have.

And...

It's paint on a wall. It got removed in less than an hour. It's not that much of a crime -- it's a protest.

People showed mixed reactions about his act of artistic protest. Some felt that his desire to demonstrate his beliefs through destructive means did not elicit praise.

@mannycastro, Chik-fil-a didn't commission your "art".You are a #vandal!Your parents must be so proud!
— Anne M. (@Basenjimomma) August 4, 2012

@mannycastro Art? You're nothing but a vandal and a thug. #ChickFilA
— D.R. Berry (@D_R_Berry) August 4, 2012

Yet Twitter revealed a huge following of approving fans for the artist as well.

@mannycastronow great @chickfila piece !huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/03/chi…Banksy & @obeygiant would approve @bkstreetart @streetartnews @juxtapozmag
— Josef K. (@apls452) August 4, 2012

Despite his confession, no charges have been filed against Castro. According to Sergeant Steven Jenkinson of the Torrance Police Department, investigators are working on collecting evidence. "We are aware of (Castro) and the article in the Huffington Post," said Jenkinson of the latest information regarding the situation, "but right now we are still investigating."Whether Castro is responsible or not, one thing seems clear- Chick-Fil-A is likely to remain the focal point of the news for awhile alongside Mars, Syria and the Olympics.