JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Dozens of people protested Thursday morning in Arlington, calling for a boycott of Wing Depot, a popular restaurant on University Boulevard.
The restaurant's owners, Terry Lodge and William Lodge, are accused of beating a 66-year-old Navy veteran early Sunday outside an American Legion post.
Terry Lodge, 55, and William Lodge, 60, are charged with misdemeanor battery of Charles Hughes, who suffered multiple injuries and was hospitalized. He has since been released.
Witnesses and an attorney for the couple tell different stories about what led to the altercation.
Witnesses told News4Jax that Hughes was joking around, tossing coasters into the air at the American Legion, when one landed near Terry Lodge and her husband, William Lodge.
Tammy Shipp was at the bar, visiting with friends, when she said an argument broke out over the thrown coasters.
Witnesses said the two became angry and began arguing with Hughes, but said that Hughes decided to leave.
Witnesses said that when Hughes walked outside, they saw the Lodges follow him, then start punching and kicking him.
But Miguel Rosada, the attorney representing Terry and William Lodge, said his clients are innocent.
"There's a lot that we're working to uncover right now. However, we're fairly confident that when everything does come to light, they will be exonerated," Rosada said.
Rosada pointed to William Lodge's injuries, saying that he and his wife were beaten by Hughes.
"Unfortunately, the alleged victim may have had too much to drink and confronted Mr. Lodge when he tried to ask him why he decided to throw projectiles at Mr. and Mrs. Lodge at the bar," Rosada said.
The arrest report noted that both the Lodges were “highly intoxicated” when they were arrested.
The protesters said Thursday that they want the community to know that they feel what happened to Hughes is unacceptable. They want people to boycott the Lodges' business.
"Charles is a pretty quiet, easygoing guy. (He) comes in late. He doesn't stay long. He doesn't bother anybody," said Wendy LeBarron of the American Legion. "You've got a lot of people on your team, man. Get better. Get better quick."
The protesters walked up and down the sidewalk, holding signs calling for support for Hughes. Many of them said they planned to be there for most of the day.
The Wing Depot sports bar remained open on Thursday.
Hughes' son, Charles Hughes Jr., attended the protest. He said his father is in good spirits and is at home recovering.
The younger Hughes is thankful for the support, but he said he wants justice for his father.
"I'm happy that they are all here doing this for him,” the younger Hughes said. “I'm outraged at what happened to him. But I'm happy they're here supporting him."
The organizer of the protest called on local businesses to contact the employees and hire them if Wing Depot goes out of business. They said their protest is directed at the Lodges, not the people who work for them.