BLM protest planned at New York restaurant where scuffle over proof of vaccination occurred

A Black Lives Matter protest is scheduled to take place outside Italian restaurant Carmine’s in New York on Monday, where a physical row erupted Thursday over COVID vaccination cards.

Hawk Newsome, co-founder and president of BLM Greater New York, said The New York Times Saturday that the group will protest the treatment of black customers. The protest plan comes after new details reportedly revealed that the restaurant hostess said a racial insult to a group of five black women trying to enter.

“Restaurants use vaccination warrants to uphold their racist beliefs and exclude black customers,” Newsome said.

On Thursday, a group of five women from Texas physically assaulted the restaurant hostess after she said their vaccination cards were fake, but one of the women’s attorney, Kaeita Nkeenge Rankin, described the fight as ” mutual fight “.

Rankin’s attorney, Justin Moore, said the hostess had patronized the women by suggesting their vaccination cards were fake.

“The hostess begins to utter derogatory comments and to speak with two of the women; they claim the N word is being vomited,” Moore told the Times. “They also heard the hostess say, ‘Yeah, you can leave my restaurant,’ or something very aggressive like that. When Dr Rankin hears that, she turns around and addresses the hostess. says, “This is not your restaurant. You are just a staff member here. Please address us with respect. ‘”

Restaurant lawyer Carolyn Richmond denied the request and told the Times that “nothing in this incident suggests race was a problem.”

“The pandemic has added a key responsibility to the host position: ensuring the safety and health of all employees and guests by verifying proof of vaccination in accordance with New York law,” said Richmond.

News week has contacted Carmine’s, Richmond, BLM and Moore for comment, but has not had a response at time of posting.

According to Times, Texas women face assault and criminal mischief charges. They are due in court on October 5.

A spokesperson for Carmine confirmed on Friday News week that the women physically assaulted the 22-year-old hostess. According to Daily News, police said they repeatedly hit the hostess and tore off her collar.

“It is a shocking and tragic situation when one of our valued employees is assaulted for doing their job – as city policies require – and for trying to make a living,” the spokesperson said. News week Friday. “Our goal right now is to take care of our employees and the rest of our restaurant family. We are a family style restaurant, and this is the absolute last experience that one of our employees should have and that all customers are witnesses. “

Police said three of the women were released after receiving assault tickets.

The physical dispute has sparked outrage in New York City’s hotel industry as the city began enforcing proof of vaccination requirements this week for gyms, entertainment venues and restaurants.

“Assaulting a restaurant worker for doing his job is heinous and should be punished. We call on the city and state of New York to immediately increase the penalties for assaulting restaurant workers in New York in conjunction with the enforcement of COVID-19 protocols, “Andrew Rigie executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance , wrote on Twitter Friday.

A spokesperson for Mayor Bill de Blasio said News week that the city has provided restaurants with conflict resolution training in recent weeks that could help restaurant workers deal with similar situations.

“This disgusting and violent behavior [at Carmine’s restaurant] has no place in New York – and that is totally unacceptable against service workers who ensure the safety of staff and customers, ”the spokesperson said.