Tyrese Gibson.Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage
Two days afterlaunching a lawsuit against The Home Depotover alleged racial profiling,Tyrese Gibsonshared footage from the incident in question.
On Wednesday, theFast & Furiousactor, 44, filed a complaint against The Home Depot, Inc. in Los Angeles County Superior Court, seeking over $1 million in damages after being “subjected to outrageous discriminatory mistreatment and consumer racial profiling.”
Gibsonposted a videoon Instagram Friday of the Feb. incident, which shows the actor speaking with employees inside the store, asking about their policies.
TheTransformersactor also issued a new statement alongside the post, claiming there is a “joint class lawsuit [in which] they are seeking $450 million in damages.”
“Craftsmen Eric Mora and Manuel Hernandez are an integral part of my team and have made significant contributions to my visions for over a decade,” he wrote. “Together, we ardently uphold our commitments to civil rights, promoting empathy and understanding. Standing united against … The Home Depot, we envision a world free from discriminatory practices and consumer racial profiling.”
“Just as I have done for the past 20-plus years, I pledge to continue to utilize my platform to empower the voiceless, fostering a spirit of unity and hope, while illuminating our shared path forward,” he added.
Tyrese Gibson.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
In a statement Thursday, a spokesperson for The Home Depot said, “Diversity and respect for all people are core to who we are, and we do not tolerate discrimination in any form.”
“We value Mr. Gibson as a customer, and in the months since this happened, we’ve reached out to him and his attorneys several times to try to resolve his concerns,” the statement continued. “We will continue to do so.”
“The cashier acknowledged Gibson and said he understood. Gibson asked the cashier if the cashier needed anything further from him to complete the transaction. The cashier said no, and that Gibson could leave,” the court documents claim.
Tyrese Gibson.Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
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However, the cashier “refused to complete the purchase transaction,” even after they got verification from Gibson via FaceTime, so Gibson re-entered the store, likely when the newly posted video took place.
The complaint adds, “The cashier gave no reasonable explanation other than repeating ‘store policy’ and demanded to see a form of identification. The manager refused to speak with Gibson in person. It was only after significant heated discussion with the cashier that Gibson was finally able to complete the transaction.”
The lawsuit called the situation “a clear and deplorable instance of discriminatory mistreatment and consumer racial profiling” and “based on race and origin.” They said it was “humiliating and demeaning.”
source: people.com
