Black Friends Forced to Leave Restaurant After Witnessing Fight
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Shakoya-Somerville-Holt-112425-8764e6c3242d4780bedd1244b8ba95c5.jpg)
Shakoya Somerville-Holt and her group of friends experienced a shocking incident at a Virginia restaurant during a friendsgiving gathering. They were allegedly asked to leave the Cork and Bull restaurant in Chesapeake after witnessing a fight between two other Black women, even though they were not involved. The group, along with the NAACP, are speaking out against what they perceive as discrimination.
The night was supposed to be one of fellowship and laughter for Somerville-Holt and her “sister circle” at the popular steakhouse, but it quickly turned sour. Two Black women, unfamiliar to the group, got into a physical altercation before the eyes of Somerville-Holt and her friends. Despite not participating in the fight, they were reportedly instructed to leave by restaurant management.
In a video shared by WTKR, the two women were seen grappling on the ground before restaurant employees intervened. Following the altercation, Somerville-Holt and her friends were singled out and told to leave because, as she claimed, they were accused of having a propensity for fighting. This discriminatory treatment left them stunned and humiliated.
An additional blow to Somerville-Holt and her friends came when local law enforcement arrived at the scene. Despite not being involved in the fight, she was allegedly asked by management to provide a statement. The entire ordeal left the group with memories of pain, hurt, embarrassment, confusion, and humiliation, as Somerville-Holt recounted.
The Chesapeake NAACP and Virginia State Conference NAACP have shown their support for the group of friends, who are considering legal action. Rev. Cozy Bailey, the president of the NAACP Virginia State Conference, demanded an apology from the restaurant and called for accountability for the individuals involved in the discriminatory treatment.
Despite the distressing experience, Somerville-Holt remains resolute in her stance against discrimination, emphasising the importance of holding establishments accountable and preventing such incidents from happening to others. The group’s story sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by Black individuals in public spaces and serves as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to ensure equality and fair treatment for all.
In response to inquiries, both Somerville-Holt’s legal representation and the Cork and Bull Chophouse have not issued immediate comments. With the support of advocacy groups and the determination of individuals like Somerville-Holt, the hope is that incidents of discrimination like this will be addressed, and steps will be taken to prevent their recurrence in the future.