Black Shoppers Discriminated Against at Toys ‘R’ Us

Two black shoppers have sued Toys ‘R’ Us because they think the store discriminated against them. Patricia Drayton and Valerie Kirk were shopping in a the toy store in The Bronx, New York City, when they were stopped when they tried to exit the premises. A security guard asked to see there receipts for the items they had purchased. After refusing to do so, Drayton was made to wait while the guard checked with the cashier to make sure all the toys had been bought.

Kirk was told by an employee of Toys ‘R’ Us that it was their policy that required her to produce her sales receipt before leaving the store. Because she refused, Kirk has been banned from shopping at that store.

Their lawsuit states that black shoppers are often stopped and followed in stores to make sure nothing is stolen, while white shoppers are not checked.

The women are asking the court to give the suit class action status to represent all black shoppers who have been subjected to the same procedures by Toys “R” Us. Metro One, which provides loss prevention services to retail stores, and several people employed by the two companies are also being sued by the women.

Each women wants to receive compensatory and punitive damages of at least $200 million on behalf of the class.