David Irving, one of the most famous Holocaust deniers, visited Buckhead as a stop on his book tour July 20. His visit became international news after a guest at the book tour and private reception allegedly drew a swastika on a menu and handed it to a table server named Shelley Sidney, WSB-TV reported.
The event was held at Antica Posta on East Paces Ferry Road near Peachtree Road. The restaurant owner was unaware who Irving was when making the reservation, according to WSB-TV’s reporting.
The reception was a stop on Irving’s book tour advertised as, “David Irving looks back: My fifty years defending Real History against its enemies. An evening with the historian.”
Irving stopped in Buckhead before making his way to several cities in Florida, including Miami and Melbourne, and after stops in Montgomery, Ala., and Nashville, Tenn., according to Irving’s website, irvingbooks.com.
The ticket purchasing site does not display venues, only the city, and says ticket holders will be notified of the venue 24 to 28 hours before the event.
Irving’s appearance drew condemnation from the Atlanta Initiative Against Anti-Semitism in a statement from group co-founder Lauren Menis.
“While Atlanta Initiative Against Anti-Semitism is appalled by the vile situation that unfolded on July 20 as recounted by Ms. Sidney,” the statement said, “we are proud to know our community rallied to speak out against the hate and fear perpetrated by the group at the restaurant as well as the establishment’s tolerance of the inciteful and threatening actions of group, including desecration of its own menu with a swastika.”
Update: This story has been updated to include comment from the Atlanta Initiative Against Anti-Semitism.