By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times
Three African American men slapped a Manhattan McDonald's with a lawsuit claiming the Kip's Bay fast food chain restaurant decides which customers can use their bathroom, free, based upon the color of their skin.
Papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court on October 8, 2010, allege that on October 11, 2009 plaintiffs Christopher White and Abdul Rasuul, entered the McDonald's restaurant with the intent to buy food.
Prior to ordering, White attempted to use the bathroom and found it locked. A Hispanic or Latino employee told White that the only way to use the restroom was to buy food.
Plaintiff Rasuul ordered food and the employee then allowed White to use the men’s room. Sometime thereafter, plaintiff Leroy Johnson entered the restaurant intending to buy food, but needed to use the restroom first. The employee also told him that he could not use the bathroom unless he ordered food.
Immediately thereafter, a Caucasian woman entered the restaurant asking to use the bathroom and the employee allowed her to do so without first ordering food. The court document says the entire incident was video tapped by the fast food chain’s surveillance system.
New York Attorney Ted Kessler is representing the plaintiff’s, whose addresses are listed as 120 East 32nd Street, which is a drop-in center for homeless adults. The court documents further allege that the defendants, "jointly and severally, caused the plaintiffs to suffer shock, pain, emotional, psychiatric, psychological and mental injuries, fear, annoyance and alarm."
Kessler told The Black Urban Times Wednesday that his client's are seeking a "nominal amount" from McDonald’s in order to pay for their therapy bills, but more importantly, they want an apology and to make sure "this doesn't happen again."
"People deserve to be treated fairly," said Kessler. "It is not fair for one minority group to discriminate against another. No one should be discriminated against for any reason."
Kessler was not sure of the national origin of the Hispanic/Latino employee who discriminated against his clients, but said that the employee was a “Spanish speaking person.”
The McDonald's Corporation has not responded to the lawsuit at this time.
Mcnewyork.com lists the manager of the 33rd and 3rd Avenue restaurant as Diana Rosario. The Black Urban Times spoke with Rosario on Wednesday seeking comment on the lawsuit and were referred to McDonald's home office in Long Island.
CLICK ARROW TO VIEW COURT DOCUMENT IN FULL SCREEN MODE
The Black Urban Times
Three African American men slapped a Manhattan McDonald's with a lawsuit claiming the Kip's Bay fast food chain restaurant decides which customers can use their bathroom, free, based upon the color of their skin.
Papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court on October 8, 2010, allege that on October 11, 2009 plaintiffs Christopher White and Abdul Rasuul, entered the McDonald's restaurant with the intent to buy food.
Prior to ordering, White attempted to use the bathroom and found it locked. A Hispanic or Latino employee told White that the only way to use the restroom was to buy food.
Plaintiff Rasuul ordered food and the employee then allowed White to use the men’s room. Sometime thereafter, plaintiff Leroy Johnson entered the restaurant intending to buy food, but needed to use the restroom first. The employee also told him that he could not use the bathroom unless he ordered food.
Immediately thereafter, a Caucasian woman entered the restaurant asking to use the bathroom and the employee allowed her to do so without first ordering food. The court document says the entire incident was video tapped by the fast food chain’s surveillance system.
New York Attorney Ted Kessler is representing the plaintiff’s, whose addresses are listed as 120 East 32nd Street, which is a drop-in center for homeless adults. The court documents further allege that the defendants, "jointly and severally, caused the plaintiffs to suffer shock, pain, emotional, psychiatric, psychological and mental injuries, fear, annoyance and alarm."
Kessler told The Black Urban Times Wednesday that his client's are seeking a "nominal amount" from McDonald’s in order to pay for their therapy bills, but more importantly, they want an apology and to make sure "this doesn't happen again."
"People deserve to be treated fairly," said Kessler. "It is not fair for one minority group to discriminate against another. No one should be discriminated against for any reason."
Kessler was not sure of the national origin of the Hispanic/Latino employee who discriminated against his clients, but said that the employee was a “Spanish speaking person.”
The McDonald's Corporation has not responded to the lawsuit at this time.
Mcnewyork.com lists the manager of the 33rd and 3rd Avenue restaurant as Diana Rosario. The Black Urban Times spoke with Rosario on Wednesday seeking comment on the lawsuit and were referred to McDonald's home office in Long Island.
CLICK ARROW TO VIEW COURT DOCUMENT IN FULL SCREEN MODE
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