Speaking to The Daily Beast, Ternay said he received positive feedback about his shirt from people of color at the café, including compliments from Latino and African American staff members. He explained that he wore the shirt to show solidarity with marginalized groups and to make his stance clear to those around him.
After leaving the restaurant, Ternay encountered a police officer. He asked if the officer had been called because of his shirt, and she confirmed it. Ternay cited a 1971 Supreme Court ruling, Cohen v. California, which upheld free speech protections regarding provocative clothing. The officer ultimately asked him to simply leave.
First Watch’s corporate office released a statement, saying the decision to ask Ternay to leave was based on complaints about the explicit language on his shirt, particularly concerns about children being exposed to it. They emphasized that the action was not motivated by political views or racial factors.
Despite the incident, Ternay made it clear he does not intend to condemn or boycott the restaurant. His Facebook post about the experience went viral, amassing over 42,000 shares. Ternay said he was most affected by responses from African American community members expressing concern about losing trust in their neighbors. He hopes his actions reassured some that they are not alone.