Five women in New York file lawsuit against Denny’s for alleged racial discrimination after being denied service.

Five Black women have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against a Denny’s restaurant in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, claiming racial discrimination after they were allegedly denied service due to electrical issues. The incident occurred on January 14, 2024, when the women, who were traveling from New York, stopped at the establishment for lunch. According to the complaint, a hostess informed them that the lights were flickering and cited this as the reason they could not be seated. However, upon entering the restaurant, the women observed that other patrons, who were all white, were being served without any apparent disruption.

Bloomsburg, a small town with a population of approximately 13,400, is situated about 150 miles west of New York City. The women assert that their experience was not only humiliating but also indicative of blatant racial discrimination, claiming that the purported electrical issues were merely a pretext for denying them service based on their race. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, highlighting the emotional and psychological distress the plaintiffs endured as a result of the incident.

Attorney Kyle Platt, who is representing the women alongside colleague Jacqueline Carranza, criticized the rapid response from the restaurant’s staff that prevented the women from entering. He emphasized that the treatment they received starkly contrasted with that of the white patrons, underscoring the extraordinary nature of the discrimination they experienced.

In a social media post, one of the women, Aminique Kirnon, shared video footage of the encounter, which has since garnered considerable attention on platforms like TikTok, amassing more than 40,000 views. Following the incident, Denny’s corporate vice president Chioke Elmore, who is Black, expressed disagreement with the women’s account. She suggested that the restaurant did not engage in discriminatory practices and even offered Kirnon a free meal, which the lawsuit argues trivialized the emotional anguish faced by the plaintiffs.

Additionally, this lawsuit comes on the heels of Denny’s announcing its acquisition by TriArtisan Capital Advisors for 0 million. This recent development adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing issues of racial discrimination that have historically plagued the restaurant chain. Notably, in 1994 Denny’s settled with African American customers for million due to widespread complaints of discriminatory practices.

The plaintiffs are seeking more than just compensation; they are calling for accountability and justice for their painful experience. Their case sheds light on the persistent issues of racism and inequality that continue to resonate within the hospitality industry and beyond.