The Black truckers who were denied service at a South Dakota Denny’s and had the police called on them said they are pursuing legal action against the restaurant.
At a virtual press conference on Monday, Sept. 18, Harry Daniels, the attorney for Damon Whitfield and Hector Madera, said the incident could’ve ended tragically. He likened the incident to discrimination of the likes of the Jim Crow era.
“We need to send a message to Denny’s… that you’re not going to treat a person… and discriminate against them based on the color of their skin or treat them inhumanely just because you don’t like the way they look or the way they talk,” Daniels said.
He continued,” We are thankful that Damon and Hector are here today. And thank God that the Sioux Falls Police Department was professional, cordial, and spoke to them and let them know that they apologize. But it could’ve ended deadly.”
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Madera and Whitfield said last month’s encounter had taken a toll on them. The two made a pit stop to shower and grab a bite to eat at the Sioux Falls Denny’s on Aug. 13 when a waitress told them that they wouldn’t be served and told them they could leave.
At the press conference, Whitfield said he initially didn’t think anything was wrong while sitting and reading the menu at the restaurant. He said things changed when Madera told the waitress that they were ready to place an order, and she accused them of yelling at her.
“She goes, ‘I don’t need you people calling me over to this table,” Whitfield recalled. He said Madera mentioned that she was serving other people in the restaurant who came in after them, to which she responded, “Well, you know what? I’m not serving you people. As a matter of fact, you can get your stuff and go now, or I’m…
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