This is a true story- I am the sister of one of the Marines mentioned. They are young officers based in Quantico who after a hard, long week of training went to a rock concert at a club called Nation and then went for a beer afterwards with some female friends. Or tried to anyway. The bouncer was actually very apologetic but said it was the policy there not to admit any military folks. Disgraceful. CG- Thank you for posting! We love you!
Okay, one of the marines is your brother. But WHY can't we know who they are? If they go public, the public outcry will be huge. NO ONE will back this establishment--NO ONE. Even liberal democrat senators will denounce this situation (at least for the television cameras). It will create the kind of fast, powerful moral rebuke that changes institutions and establisments overnight.
Your brother could contact a local television or radio news dept. with the details. The restaurant might change its policy under pressure of negative publicity.
Another approach: your brother and his friends may want to consider going to the restaurant with a formal complaint.
They could directly send a letter of complaint with details of the incident and specically identify what they want the restaurant to do (e.g., change policy, apologize, etc.). They could send it by registered or certified letters to the owner and manager.
They could contact a DC attorney (maybe military legal aid could direct them to an attorney who would do this free?). The attorney could help with the letter of complaint or just get involved if the restaurant won't reverse course, apologize, and/or pay damages (if the Marines want some sort of damages).
Possibly they could ultimately file a complaint (click here) with the DC Office of Human Rights.
Per the linked web site, discrimination is not allowed on the basis of "source of income." I could be wrong, but I think that would outlaw discrimination based on someone's occupation as a Marine.
WAIT a minute.
WHILE I disagree with their policy 'not to allow military' into their premises.
I DO believe in the right of private business to have their own 'admissions code' to their premises.
Private business owners shouldn't have the right to refuse ANYONE the right to admission...on your premise.