In response to public backlash on social media, the Kirkland Police Department, which serves the Seattle suburb, offered an apology to Byron Ragland almost two weeks after he was told to leave Menchie’s, a frozen yogurt shop, because the owner called 911 as women workers said he “looked suspicious.”
Ragland is a 31-year-old court-appointed parental visitation supervisor who went to Menchie’s to supervise an outing between a mother and her son on Nov. 7. Police arrived and told him the owner wanted him to leave.
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At a rally this week outside of Menchie’s, which included members of the King County NAACP, Ragland called for a boycott.
“How much of that internet outrage is going to translate into tangible, quantifiable resources result” Ragland asked, according to MYNorthwest. “No symbolic gestures, no slogans . We definitely should boycott this store. Those two young ladies who were petrified, they definitely should take a break from work, especially from the customer service realm.”
The nine-year Air Force veteran, who is also a psychology student at the University of Washington, Tacoma, said store owner Ramon Cruz shouldn’t be able to renew his business license.
“Let me tell you what I think we should do, what is going to make me feel safer in this community, let me tell you what I think is going to inspire change.”
“I think we need to make sure Ramon Cruz is unable to renew his business license here. And when the lease for this store is up, we need to make sure that Byron Ragland has the capital and resources to purchase this Menchie’s and the two other restaurants he owns in this community. That would be a good place to start.
“That would make me feel a little bit better. That would be a look in the right direction and that is how youpunish white supremacy and anti-Black behavior you hit it hard and you hit it fast right in its pockets.”
Cruz called the police on Ragland because two female staff members were “scared.” Cruz wasn’t present at the store when the police were called.
He told the 911 dispatcher: “They’re kinda scared because he looks suspicious. He just keeps looking at the phone and looking at them.”
Menchie’s is a FroYo chain with 540 locations that’s franchised all over the United States. The executive leadership is all white. On Monday, Cruz apologized and the company tweeted its letter of apology.
pic.twitter.com/xeaonunFQP
Menchie’s Yogurt (@MyMenchies) November 20, 2018
The Kirkland Police said in its statement, “When we make mistakes, we investigate them openly and transparently.” And added, “We will evaluate our policies and practices, and change what needs to fixed.”
However, they did not elaborate on what the “change” would be.
Reader Question: How should the Kirkland community respond to this incident
