December 03, 2021

Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement

Admin@aadmovement.org

1-800-9 AADM 07

(1-800-922-3607)

Discrimination Complaint Against Bell’s Food Store

Local Athenian Alleges Consumer Racial Profiling

On August 4th, 2021, local resident Adrienne Dowdy filed a discrimination complaint with the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) alleging consumer racial profiling at the Bell’s Food Store on Hawthorne Avenue in Athens, GA. Ms. Dowdy is a life-long Black Athenian and frequent Bell’s customer.

Ms. Dowdy alleges that on August 2nd, 2021, while she was checking out at a register at the Athens Bell’s Food Store, a white cashier suddenly and without evidence accused Ms. Dowdy of stealing groceries in her purse. Although Ms. Dowdy stated to the cashier that she was not attempting to steal products from the store, the cashier publicly demanded that Ms. Dowdy open her purse and show its contents. Mortified, Ms. Dowdy complied. But, there was no stolen merchandise. The cashier apologized to Ms. Dowdy, but the damage was already done. Ms. Dowdy was deeply embarrassed and angry for such discriminatory treatment. Ms. Dowdy expected management to reprimand the employee for the false accusation, but Bell’s management did not reprimand the employee.

We believe this a clear instance of consumer racial profiling, which might have also violated Ms. Dowdy’s Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. This experience has adversely impacted Ms. Dowdy’s productivity and mental health. For the past three months, we have assisted Ms. Dowdy with seeking a resolution from Bell’s management. The AADM has contacted Bell’s Vice President of Operations, Ralph Costa, numerous times by telephone, email, and certified mail in order to arrange a mediation session between Ms. Dowdy and management; all attempts have been ignored.

Ms. Dowdy has not had the opportunity to seek resolution with Bell’s management regarding their employee’s behavior. Apologies are not enough. Constitutionally discriminatory practices must be formally addressed and repair should be made to Ms. Dowdy. Not only is consumer racial profiling patented illegal, it is even more dehumanizing especially when requests for redress are ignored. 

The AADM will continue to stand with Ms. Dowdy. Bell’s management should meet with Ms. Dowdy and the AADM to discuss redress to this situation. The AADM believes that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. 

If you have shopped at Bells and experienced discrimination and/or racial profiling, please tell us your story by click on this link: AADM Discrimination Complaint Form

###

Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement

Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2016 and based in Athens, Georgia. The group aims to combat discrimination through education and activism. For more information visit www.aadmovement.org, their Facebook,  Twitter @AADMovement, or Instagram @aadmovement706