KFC has been embroiled in a racism row after police were called to eject a group of black British tourists from one of its German stores following an argument with staff over the noise.
The aggrieved customers say they were told to leave for laughing and talking too loudly during a meal but claim they did nothing wrong and were targeted because of their skin colour. Staff said the tourists had been throwing food and insulting employees, leaving the manager no choice but to call the police to 'protect staff and guests'.Berlin Police strenuously denied the accusation of racism and said it planned to press charges against the person who uploaded the video for violating the officers' privacy.
The aggrieved customers say they were told to leave for laughing and talking too loudly during a meal but claim they did nothing wrong and were targeted because of their skin colour. Staff said the tourists had been throwing food and insulting employees, leaving the manager no choice but to call the police to 'protect staff and guests'.Berlin Police strenuously denied the accusation of racism and said it planned to press charges against the person who uploaded the video for violating the officers' privacy.
A total of five police vehicles were sent to the branch in the Mitte district of Berlin on Monday afternoon as officers surrounded the group's table and ordered them to get out while they were in the middle of eating. A row ensued as the customers vehemently protested their innocence and they branded the officers 'racist' as they were escorted outside and forced to produce their passports. A video of the confrontation - filmed by a female member of the group who asked to remain anonymous - shows several police officers telling them to 'go out right now'.They ask what they have done wrong and insist they were just 'laughing and chatting' but are told the restaurant has the right to remove them. A male member of the group says: 'I'm eating my food at KFC and someone says to me I have to leave. Basically, they're tryna tell me that I have to take it outside.'
A total of five police vehicles were sent to the branch in the Mitte district of Berlin on Monday afternoon as officers surrounded the group's table and ordered them to get out while they were in the middle of eating. A row ensued as the customers vehemently protested their innocence and they branded the officers 'racist' as they were escorted outside and forced to produce their passports. A video of the confrontation filmed by a female member of the group who asked to remain anonymous shows, several police officers, telling them to 'go out right now'.They ask what they have done wrong and insist they were just 'laughing and chatting' but are told the restaurant has the right to remove them. A male member of the group says: 'I'm eating my food at KFC and someone says to me I have to leave. Basically, they're tryna tell me that I have to take it outside.'
An officer responds: 'Yes.' The woman filming asks: 'Even though we paid to eat inside?' The officer then points to the camera and says: 'Stop filming.' She refuses, saying she has a right to film for her own safety. Reluctantly, the group get up and head towards the exit leaving behind their uneaten food at the table. Outside, the woman tells shocked diners they are being kicked out 'because we're black' but nobody says anything. An officer tells the group: 'You wait here. Nobody goes home. I want a passport from everybody.' When one man claims his passport is in his hotel room, the officer replies: 'I don't believe you. You will get searched.'
Tempers begin to flare, with one of the men telling officers: 'You've been one-sided and it's called racism.'The group are eventually released after handing over their passports for inspection and are told: 'Don't go back.'Berlin Police said restaurant staff reported that the group had been throwing food. Kellon Pierre, 38, who was with the party of eight, said that allegation was 'a huge lie' and accused the police of 'gross overreaction'.He told Die Welt: 'We ordered food for 118 euros. Other guests around us also chatted and laughed. That's why I asked: "Why are you only speaking to us?"'We were the only black people in the restaurant and we were the only ones asked to be quieter, even though other people laughed too.'KFC Germany stood by the manager's decision to call the police, saying the group had behaved 'inappropriately'.
In a statement, the company said: 'After failed attempts at conciliation, he was forced to inform the police to protect his staff and guests.'The wellbeing of our guests is our highest priority. We sharply reject any allegations of discrimination and distance ourselves from any form of racism.'The controversial footage divided opinion on social media.Rainer Woltmann wrote: 'I am German and I am pretty shocked about my fellow countrymen. I'm sure there were lots of people watching. Why is there nobody standing up to help?'
Eleanya Philip said: 'This is the racism of the highest level. Makes me sick to my stomach.' But Johannes Baranski argued: 'If KFC asked them to leave because they were too loud, they have every right to enforce their privileges as owners of the establishment. Works just like asking someone to leave your house.' Filip Vavra added: 'You don't behave, you go. Simple.' The incident comes just one month after two black men were arrested at a Starbucks in Philadelphia and charged with trespassing for sitting in the store without ordering anything. Charges were dropped after a video of the arrest went viral. Starbucks later apologised and announced it was closing 8,000 of its stores for one afternoon to carry out racial bias training.