Brooklyn cafe gave candy ONLY to white kids on Halloween

Oma Holloway and Michael Catlyn were in line at the Strand Cafe located in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, when they saw the alleged offenses on Tuesday

A Brooklyn cafe has come under intense criticism after they were accused of passing out candy only to white children on Halloween. 

Oma Holloway and Michael Catlyn were waiting in line at the Strand Cafe located in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, when they saw the alleged offenses on Tuesday afternoon. 

They claim to have seen a singular employee dismiss three groups of black children dressed up in costume and accompanied by adults while trick-or-treating. 

When an older white woman came in with two white kids, the male employee reached behind the counter and pulled out a glass jar. 

Inside were individually wrapped cookies that the man then hastily gave to the children. 

Catlyn, 54, said to the New York Daily News: ‘I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I was thinking there is no way this is happening right now.’

He and Holloway – who are both members of Community Board 3 – then confronted the employee who attempted to apologize in broken English.

They (Holloway left and Catlyn right)  claim to have seen a singular employee dismiss three groups of black children dressed up in costume and accompanied by adults while trick-or-treating

They (Holloway left and Catlyn right)  claim to have seen a singular employee dismiss three groups of black children dressed up in costume and accompanied by adults while trick-or-treating

They (Holloway left and Catlyn right)  claim to have seen a singular employee dismiss three groups of black children dressed up in costume and accompanied by adults while trick-or-treating

When an older white woman came in with two white kids, the male employee reached behind the counter and pulled out a glass jar

When an older white woman came in with two white kids, the male employee reached behind the counter and pulled out a glass jar

The duo left the establishment and Holloway would then go on to post about the incident on his Facebook.

Soon after, people took to the establishment’s Google and Yelp pages and wrote scathing reviews, bringing Strand Cafe’s rating down below two stars on both. 

And on social media, people blasted the cafe for the racist action.

One user said: ‘They’re trying to whitewash our neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Do not patronize The Strand Cafe on Nostrand Av between Hancock n Halsey.’ 

‘Welcome to #StrandCafe,’ added another along with a picture of terrorist group the Ku Klux Klan. 

‘D**n brooklyn. Be sure to let everyone know to NOT patronize Strand Cafe at Nostrand Ave in Bed-Sty,’ said another. 

One user said: 'They're trying to whitewash our neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Do not patronize The Strand Cafe on Nostrand Av between Hancock n Halsey'

One user said: ‘They’re trying to whitewash our neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Do not patronize The Strand Cafe on Nostrand Av between Hancock n Halsey’

'Welcome to #StrandCafe,' added another along with a picture of terrorist group the Ku Klux Klan

‘Welcome to #StrandCafe,’ added another along with a picture of terrorist group the Ku Klux Klan

'D**n brooklyn. Be sure to let everyone know to NOT patronize Strand Cafe at Nostrand Ave in Bed-Sty,' said another

‘D**n brooklyn. Be sure to let everyone know to NOT patronize Strand Cafe at Nostrand Ave in Bed-Sty,’ said another

On Sunday, someone claiming to be the owner of Strand Cafe took to social media to offer some insight into what they called a ‘misunderstanding.’

Just wanted to clarify that the incident happened in my absence. A manager was also on sick leave. The person responsible was a part time employee in status of a trainee,’ they said in the Facebook post.

‘He was a very new guy who is 18 years old and who recently came to this country and was working at my cafe for only 10 days. All these is absolutely not an excuse for his behavior and is not what myself or other employees of cafe stand for. 

‘I would also like to clarify that myself- I’m an Asian & Brown who was raised in this country with multi-culture, and I believe in equivalent freedom of rights for every single human being. 

On Sunday, someone claiming to be the owner of Strand Cafe took to social media to offer some insight into what they called a 'misunderstanding' 

On Sunday, someone claiming to be the owner of Strand Cafe took to social media to offer some insight into what they called a ‘misunderstanding’ 

He then went on to add that he had met with leaders in the community so that he could explain before offering his apologies again

He then went on to add that he had met with leaders in the community so that he could explain before offering his apologies again

The owner went on to add that they did not condone discrimination and that they fired the employee responsible. 

He then went on to add that he had met with leaders in the community so that he could explain before offering his apologies again. 

They added: ‘Once again on behalf of my caffe and other employees l deeply regret and apologize to everyone who was hurt and would like to assure you that this will never ever happen again.

‘Everyone is welcome to my strand cafe with equal respect. I wish you all the best.’

Holloway confirmed that the meeting took place on her Facebook

Holloway confirmed that the meeting took place on her Facebook

Holloway confirmed that the meeting took place on her Facebook.

‘It was a productive meeting and action has been taken by the owner and other entities. The owner apologized,’ she said. 

‘We (Community Board 3) will be issuing a statement by Monday about the incident and next steps. As we move forward, we want to send a clear message to ALL businesses that discrimination of any kind is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our community.’ 

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk