Footage Reveals New Details in Tourist Melee at N.Y.C. Restaurant

[Nevilledog]

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Rebecca Kavanagh
@DrRJKavanagh
So it turns out the incident at Carmine's in NYC didn't go down like it was reported.

The three TX women who were arrested are Black, they did show proof of their vaccination status, and the altercation started after the hostess called them a racial slur.
Restaurants in New York City are required to verify that patrons are vaccinated before allowing them to dine indoors.

Footage Reveals New Details in Tourist Melee at N.Y.C. Restaurant
Three Black women from Texas were arrested, but a lawyer for one called it “mutual combat” after they were called a racial slur.
nytimes.com
12:43 AM · Sep 19, 2021

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/18/nyregion/carmines-vaccination-fight.html


Justin Moore, a lawyer who represents one of the women, Kaeita Nkeenge Rankin, said that the hostess used a racial slur and spoke condescendingly to the patrons, suggesting that their vaccination cards were fake. He also said the Texas women claim that the hostess assaulted them.

“The hostess begins spouting out derogatory comments, and speaking with two of the women; they claim that the N-word is being spewed out” Mr. Moore said in an interview. “They also heard the hostess say, ‘Yeah, you guys can leave my restaurant,’ or something very aggressive like that. When Dr. Rankin hears that, she turns around and addresses the hostess. She tells her: ‘This isn’t your restaurant. You’re just a staff member here. Please address us with respect.’”

He called the altercation “mutual combat.”

The restaurant denied the allegations that racism played a role in the conflict.

“Nothing about this incident suggests race was an issue,” Carolyn Richmond, a lawyer who represents the restaurant, wrote in an email. “The pandemic has added a key responsibility to the host position — insuring the safety and health of all employees and guests by checking for proof of vaccination in compliance with New York City law.”

*snip*