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A black woman says she feels "racially profiled" after being thrown by a Virginia Dunkin 'Donuts after trying to use the store's free Wi-Fi without buying anything, reports said.
Tirza Wilbon White was about to use her laptop at the Fairfax store when a woman who identified herself as the owner told her, as well as another man – also a person of color – that they should make a purchase if they wanted to stay.
"That's what it means to be black in America," White said in a Facebook post last week. "I am a regular at this place and her employees know me in person. They saved my power cord when I forgot it and gave it to me on my next visit. But it was the first time I met her.
"I wore a hoodie, yoga pants, no makeup," she told NBC 4 Washington. "I felt racial profile."
She then took out her cell phone and started recording her conversation with the owner, who introduced herself as Christina Cabral.
"I have to keep my customers safe and I'm not saying you're a problem, but I've had problems in the past," Cabral said in the video.
But White told the station that she did not do anything wrong.
"I did not commit a crime," she said. "I was not screaming. I was not disruptive. I was not rude. "
When White accused Cabral of targeting him because of his race, the confrontation intensified.
"Do not get into racial profiling," said Cabral. "You can leave my location. I find it offensive.
The owner then called the cops.
A police officer told White that she had to leave "because she wishes it."
A spokesman for Dunkin 'Donuts told the chain that the company had since responded to White.
"Our franchisees and we want every customer who enters a Dunkin restaurant to be treated with dignity and respect," the statement said. "That did not happen at a restaurant in Fairfax, Virginia. We apologized to customers, but we know that is not enough. "
A new sign in the store indicates that customers must make a purchase if they want to sit inside.
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