A former U.S. Navy SEAL who claims to have shot Osama bin Laden is facing opposition in Virginia over alleged racist and homophobic remarks as plans for a military-themed brewery are underway.
Robert J. O’Neill, who has a small ownership stake in Armed Forces Brewing Company and serves as its brand ambassador, has come under fire due to recent social media complaints and a police report accusing him of using a racial slur. These incidents have fueled efforts to prevent the brewery from opening in Norfolk, a military-friendly city located near the largest Navy base in the country.
The planning commission of Norfolk recently recommended that the City Council deny permits for the brewery’s taproom and distribution center, following significant public opposition. The local neighborhood association, which represents the predominantly Black community of Park Place, also did not support the brewery.
The City Council is expected to vote on the brewery’s conditional use permits soon, with the company threatening legal action if the application is rejected. The brewery’s lawyer, Tim Anderson, has argued that the planning commission’s decision was based on the owners’ political views.
Opponents of Armed Forces Brewing argue that the brewery would not be a good fit for Norfolk due to its lack of diversity in ownership and its reliance on conservative branding. They claim that the opposition is not anti-military, but rather against intolerance and hate. The controversy surrounding Robert O’Neill and shareholder/advisor Gretchen Smith, who has expressed controversial views on social media, has further fueled the opposition.
The brewery’s CEO, Alan Beal, has emphasized that O’Neill and Smith are not involved in daily operations and that the company aims to brew beer for the military community while supporting veterans and their causes. The brewery’s attorney, Anderson, has assured that the establishment will not promote any form of hate speech or discrimination.
However, some members of the community remain skeptical and continue to raise concerns about the brewery. They hope to establish a relationship with the brewery but have yet to see indications that the brewery is open to that dialogue.
