In Louisville, KY, a Cuban restaurateur reported that his business was targeted by BLM with "mafia tactics" and threats as a tool of intimidation. This according to the Louisville Courier Journal.
Fernando Martinez is a partner in a restaurant group in Louisville and operates La Bodeguita de Mima in the NuLu neighbourhood, on East Market Street. On Facebook, Martinez wrote "there comes a time in life that you have to make a stand and you have to really prove your convictions and what you believe in." He said that "all good people need to denounce this. How can you justified [sic] injustice with more injustice?"
Martinez said this his restaurant closed on July 24 when a demonstration halted business and traffic on East Market Street. At that time, Martinez said he was approached by activists distributing their demands, who said that he "better put the letter on the door so your business is not f***ed with."
Martinez kept his restaurant closed for two days due to concerns over the safety of their primarily immigrant workforce of over thirty people. Since then, he reported that the restaurant "has been subject to vandalism and extortion in recent days." This has included some property damage to flower pots outside the restaurant.
The demands, which came as part of a multi-page contract businesses were asked to sign, were related to "NuLu social justice health and wellness ratings," explained local BLM activist Phelix Crittenden. They were to "adequately represent the Black population of Louisville by having a minimum of 23 percent Black staff; purchase a minimum of 23 percent inventory from Black retailers or make a recurring monthly donation of 1.5 percent net sales to a local Black nonprofit or organization; require diversity and inclusion training for all staff members on a bi-annual basis; and display a visible sign that increases awareness and shows support for the reparations movement."
"Repercussions of non-compliance" are also listed. "Failure to accept and adhere to this contract will result in the following measures: Reduction in Racial Index Score/bias report to the Better Business Bureau; Social Media Blast: Notification, via all social media platforms, of non-compliance; Boycott: Public boycott. coordinated through social media and mail announcements, of your NuLu establishment AND any other business ventures owned by you; Protest: Visible, media-covered demonstration/sit-in outside your establishment; Invasive Reclamation: Placement of booths/tables outside your establishment where competing Black proprietors will offer items comparable to those offered by you." .................................
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