A manager at a local grocery store in Saco, Maine reportedly sent police to a customer’s home after he questioned a store policy.
The incident began when Rory Ferreira, his wife, and young son were checking out at Shaw’s Supermarket. Ferreira was asked by the store manager to show identification to purchase a bottle of Sake, Japanese rice wine. Ferreira’s wife was required to show ID as well and she went to get it out of the car.
Ferriera said he never heard of this policy and began to question if it was a real. “That’s ok, I didn’t know about the policy, I want to know it’s real,” Ferreira said. He continued, “… I’m a young black man in America. I want to make sure I’m treated the same as everyone else.”
After Ferreira’s remarks, the manager reportedly said, “I don’t have to sell you alcohol. I don’t have to sell you anything,” canceled the order and ripped up the paper bag. Ferreira said he stayed calm due to having his infant child in his hands and left the store.
The unpleasant experience turned frightening when police arrived at Ferreira’s front door handing him a no-trespass order. “It was the scariest thing in the world. I’m a young black dude, I got tattoos, I’m a rapper. I did not know what the cop would do. I was very scared. And again, I still don’t know what I’m banned for,” he explained. “When you call the police on me, and have them at my house for asking about a policy because you don’t like me, I have to wonder what you wanted to have happen to me.”
After a Facebook post and calls to Shaw’s corporate office, Ferreira and several of his family members met with two executives from the company. Both company representatives apologized for what happened and lifted the no-trespass order.
Shaw’s issued a statement saying, “At Shaw’s, we take situations like the one that occurred in our Saco, Maine, store this week seriously and investigate thoroughly when we receive any complaints regarding employee actions or behaviors in our stores that do not support our culture of courtesy, dignity and respect,” the statement said. “Last night, we reached out to the customer to begin a dialogue and today we personally met with him and members of his family to further discuss the situation as we continue to conduct our internal investigation.”
Ferreira said the manager involved in the incident, Bethany (no last name provided), did not attend the meeting and he would like an apology from her. He is now looking for an attorney and is seeking to pursue legal recourse.
