Harlem IHOP takes down "racist" sign

Tanandachi Mfuni:

An embattled Harlem International House of Pancakes (IHOP) has been forced to do away with a policy patrons called insulting and racist after facing pressure from the media and government officials.

The IHOP was forced by the city’s Human Rights Commissioner Patricia L. Gatling to take down posted signs requiring customers show receipts before leaving the restaurant, a week after the New York Amsterdam News first reported on the restaurant’s policy.

"When the situation was brought to our attention by the Amsterdam News, the commission immediately intervened and successfully negotiated a policy change with the IHOP’s owner," said Gatling.

"The restaurant has removed the sign requesting patrons to show their receipt stamped paid before leaving the premises and has agreed that their security guard will only stop those individuals who appear to be leaving without paying their bill."
When contacted by the Amsterdam News, IHOP management had no comment on the policy change.

"[IHOP] obviously recognized that it was best all round to take down the sign," said Councilman Bill Perkins (D-Harlem), who called IHOP’s receipt checks "insulting to a customer that has paid for their meal."

Dozens of customers vowed to boycott the Harlem establishment if it did not change its policy. At the time, the manager of the restaurant said that he was made to enforce the policy after customers left without paying their bill.

News and Blogosphere:

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Amsterdam News - Article - new york news