New York Best owner Tommy Diacono will be “turning the other cheek” and will not be reporting to the police the vandalism of a controversial public advert satirising Da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
The 12-metre billboard in Msida, which depicted Jesus Christ and his disciples eating pizzas and burgers and drinking milkshakes from the popular fast food chain, was defaced on Saturday by members of the far-right Għaqda Patrijotti Maltin, who peeled off the image of Christ and posted proof of their exploits to Facebook.
Speaking to the Times of Malta, Mr Diacono said he had been inundated with threats and abuse in anonymous calls and messages since the controversy began but he did not intend to press for prosecution.
“I have the right to do so but I’m going to rise above it,” he said.
“First of all, because they’re not worth my time and also because I want to give an example and turn the other cheek.”
I have the right to do so but I’m going to rise above it
Wilful property damage is a crime under Maltese law carrying a potential prison term. If the damage amounts to less than €250, criminal proceedings can only be instituted on the complaint of the injured party.
Mr Diacono said that though he did think the advert would generate some controversy, he had not expected “this sort of insanity”.
READ: Last Supper billboard vandalised
He added that it was particularly hypocritical of the Għaqda Patrijotti Maltin to target the campaign for mocking religion when the group had made a habit of attacking Islam, most notably handing out pork sandwiches at a public space in Msida after a group of Muslims gathered there to pray.
“The original painting itself was a marketing stunt for the Catholic Church,” Mr Diacono said.
“Da Vinci even included contemporary architecture to ‘update’ it for his audience, which is exactly what we did.
“This was never meant to be anti-Catholic; it’s just funny. This is all about some pizza and burgers… there was no alcohol, no drugs, no sex.”
Meanwhile, Għaqda Patrijotti Maltin secretary Henry Battistino, who carried out the vandalism, wrote on Facebook he had been motivated by “righteous anger and a Christian conscience”.
“I saw our Lord, who died to save us, ridiculed to sell some pizza and chips,” Mr Battistino said.
“I tried to speak with the owners but was coldly and arrogantly told to send him an e-mail. My faith is stronger than any man-made law and I can never agree with the removal of vilification of religion [as a criminal act].”
Mr Battistino, who has led a number of anti-Islam protests, claimed he would have done the same had the poster instead depicted the prophet Mohammed and called for the government to reverse its decision on religious vilification.
Blasphemy laws, which had been on the books since 1933, were repealed last July.
The move was heavily opposed by the Opposition and the Catholic Church, prompting Archbishop Charles Scicluna to ask God to forgive the legislators.