Back of The Bus : Restaurant Employees Refuse to Serve Trump Supporters

TruthFeed ^ | 6/13/2016 | Amy Moreno

[orchestra]

Trump supporter Shannon Riggs and her cousins expected some flack from protesters at Donald Trump’s rally in Richmond, Virginia, however, they did not expect what happened when they stopped for dinner at the Cook Out hamburger joint, clad in their Trump T-shirts and hats after the rally.

[Strac6]

It is clearly a Freedom of Speech issue.

[grania]

see how quickly even conservatives will think to go the route of litigation these days, instead of laughing about it and going somewhere else

That's what I was thinking. What if they won? It would just solidify the concept that Christians have to bake cakes for gay weddings etc

It's a bad economic decision by the small chain. Much more effective would be word of mouth. FWIW, if I were not served because of campaign gear I wore, I'd call headquarters and express my outrage and remind them how many people will be wearing Trump gear from now until November.

[stockpirate]

All Trump supporters in the area should stop going there.

[Martin Tell]

I beg to differ with those who think there is a valid legal claim here.

The starting point is that any establishment may legally deny service for any or no reason. There are exceptions, however, under federal and most state law. Race, religion, sex, and increasingly sexual orientation are protected categories and one may not be denied service because one falls into a protected category.

Political beliefs are not a protected category. Freedom of speech does not apply because the First Amendment does not apply to private establishments.

The remedy is to never eat there again and publicize what jerks run the place. Sounds like that's what these folks are doing.

Now if they had been denied service with a statement of something like, "You honky, cracker, MF Trump supporters can go to hell," they may have had a legal case.

The USA has far too much litigation.

I suppose refusal to service gays may be a legal violation in some states (due to protected category status), but refusal to bake a cake for a gay wedding should not be a civil rights violation even in those states.

[BenLurkin]

Do they serve Molotov cocktails?

[Lower Deck]

Sad. Wonder if they can sue and put the joint out of business.

I don't think that "Trump Supporter" is a protected class under any anti-discrimination laws.

[Lower Deck]

I’ll take this case any day.

You would likely lose.

Look at the bakers and photographers who would not serve gay weddings.

Those states had laws saying you cannot discriminate based on sexual orientation. Unless the state includes political belief as a protected class then you are going to lose.

[Lower Deck]

Trump supporters and true Conservatives should refrain from patronizing this idiotic chain of greaseburger diners.

That really is the only recourse you have, and depending on Trump's popularity in areas where there are outlets may well be the most effective one.

[maddogtiger]

You must know someone spit in your order.

[Heavyrunner]

You’re correct, though it could be argued that there should be no protected classes at all when it comes to providing service as a business - Just economic consequences as word of mouth spreads.

[Prov1322]

Cookout is a decent, affordable hamburger chain that we have enjoyed here in GreenAcres and in Florida. They have Scripture printed on their wrappers/cups, etc. and usually have Christian music on in the background.

I would expect that this was the action of one (soon to be ex-) employee and not representative of the owner nor the chain as a whole.

[Lorianne]

Freedom of conscience for me but not for thee eh?

More people should got to restaurants and other places with their Trump gear on just to make a point about freedom of speech and conscience.

People should go to bakeries and order cakes decorated with Make America Great! and Go Trump! and see how many bakeries balk at that.

[Lorianne]

Yes, they do. And people have a right to make in known and organize boycotts against them.

[Lorianne]

I agree they should not litigate, but they should make a big deal out of the hypocrisy of the left every chance they get. Don’t just laugh it off ... this is a deadly serious issue (the government making people do things that go against their conscience).

[DAC21]

Now that this is getting attention, Owners of the chain should have to address this incident. Give them a chance, they may well take care of business with those involved. Remember we are talking about dopey indoctronated kids working these Burger joints. This Burger chain is Southern based, the Owners may well be reasonable people whom will clean up the mess the Kiddies left behind.

[hal ogen]

maryland is THE Freak state. It is hopeless there. Escape while you can.

[who knows what evil?]

If the negroze can sue, and the kweerz can sue, then so can the crackers. Nail’ em in the financial nads, ladies; and nail them hard.

[Sans-Culotte]

1.) There should definitely be a lawsuit, particularly in the wake of the "gay wedding cake" type of incidents.

2.) I do not recommend anybody wear their Trump regalia to a dining establishment unless they know it is run by solid conservatives. There's no telling how a "feel the Bern/Rules for Radicals" leftist will doctor your food.

[i_robot73]

>You’re correct, though it could be argued that there should be no protected classes at all when it comes to providing service as a business - Just economic consequences as word of mouth spreads.

‘Could’ be argued? That’s the way it WAS and should still be. Biz wishes to cater to their niche, they are free to the economics of such actions.

Until and unless someone else is paying the rent/utilities/taxes/bills/etc., it’s the property of the OWNER(s). We have a Constitution for a reason.

Sad to see those here thinking 2 wrongs make a right in this instance.

Boycott, word of mouth

[oscar_diggs]

Sad. Wonder if they can sue and put the joint out of business.
**************
A restaurant is a public accommodation... sue their ass off.