People protest outside the Taco Cid restaurant on January 11, 2013.
A t-shirt being sold at Taco Cid that says, "How to Catch an Illegal Immigrant."
Columbia, SC (WLTX) -- Protestors marched outside the Taco Cid restaurant in West Columbia after the eatery said it would continue to sell a controversial shirt.
The t-shirt says "how to catch an illegal immigrant" and pictures a taco under a box trap. Previous Coverage: Taco Cid T-Shirt Causes Controversy
"Somebody has to speak up. The shirt is being sold here today, it's being sold under the guise that it's just a joke, that it's meant just to be funny. However just a joke, just to be funny is what the bully says when he's victimizing someone," said protestor Daniel Barajas.
The group chanted "shame on you Taco Cid" and "just a shirt, racist message" as the marched along the sidewalk outside the restaurant.
Taco Cid Owner Leanne Snelgrove says the group has a right to freedom of speech, but she does too.
"As long as they stay out of my flow of traffic, everybody has freedom of speech, I believe that's what my t-shirt also is -- freedom of speech. I do apologize if I offended anyone but I do not support illegal immigrants," said Snelgrove.
Snelgrove says business continues to do well despite the t-shirt controversy. A few people stopped in the restaurant to buy a shirt during the protest.