Damascus restaurant causes “cult” concerns with debate on social media
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DAMASCUS, Va. (WCYB) — A restaurant chain has become the source of controversy in the town of Damascus.
A ‘Yellow Deli’ food truck has caught the eye of town residents, and it’s made for a few heated posts on Facebook.
Yellow Delis are a series of restaurants – 34 locations worldwide – that are operated by members of the Twelve Tribes, a controversial religious organization formed in the 1970s, self-described as “an emerging spiritual nation.”
This description, paired with headlines across the internet and an HBO documentary have sparked debate on social media among Damascus residents.
Some call the group a “cult,” others accuse them of wanting “prey” on AT hikers.
News 5 spoke with the Damascus Twelve Tribes group on their property on Douglas Drive. They decided against going on camera saying they didn’t feel a need to defend themselves.
Other residents spoke in their favor, like Larry Riddle who lives a few houses away.
“I know there’s a lot of fear about them coming in here, but I have none of that fear,” Riddle said. “I’ve known some people from the Appalachian Trail community that had bad problems in their lives; drugs alcohol, all kinds of things. And they joined up with these people and their lives changed for the better.”
A press release from the town of Damascus reads in part “the town of Damascus maintains a policy of administrative neutralitylicenses are issued on a non-discriminatory basis to all applicants who demonstrate full compliance.”
Watch the video report through the link below.
For more information about the “Twelve Tribes” horrible history of child abuse, labor violations and coercive control see https://culteducation.com/group/1198-twelve-tribes-messianic-communities.html
Content retrieved from: Members staffing its “Yellow Deli” restaurants essentially work for room and board..
