FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28th, 2022
Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement
Admin@aadmovement.org
1-800-9 AADM 07
(1-800-922-3607)
Protest Against Bell’s Food Store for Racial Profiling
Local Athenian Alleges Consumer Racial Profiling
On Friday, February 4th, 2022, from 5:30pm-7pm, the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement will rally outside Bell’s Food Store on Hawthorne Avenue to protest against Bell’s racial profiling of local resident Adrienne Dowdy.
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 should not be ignored and Bell’s Food Stores should provide her redress. Join AADM on Friday, February 4th, from 5:30 pm-7pm to rally in support of Ms. Dowdy outside Bell’s Food Store on Hawthorne Avenue! 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.
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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