Black patron calls for boycott after being told to 'move along' from fro-yo shop
A black man who was asked by police to leave a Kirkland yogurt shop is speaking out. Outside of the Menchie's where he was told to "move along," Byron Ragland called for a boycott of the shop.
Byron Ragland, a court-appointed advocate, was supervising a parental visit at Menchie's frozen yogurt. When two white employees told the shop owner that Ragland made them feel uncomfortable, the owner called the police who told Ragland to move along.
"I haven't slept through the night since this incident happened, and I know my parents haven't either," Ragland said.
Speaking outside of Menchies Tuesday morning with his attorney and civil rights leaders, Ragland said he will boycott the shop. "That's how you punish white supremacy and anti-black behavior," said Ragland. "You hit hard and you hit fast right in its pockets."
Ragland is also a student, an Air Force veteran, and says he now has a new responsibility: "Educating and informing the progressive Pacific Northwest about implicit bias and anti-black sentiment," he said.
Menchie's posted an apology and was closed Tuesday for a racial bias training.
Kirkland police have also issued an apology and launched an internal investigation into the incident.
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Casey Martin
Reporter
Casey Martin is a general assignment reporter who has covered everything from political protests to electric scooters. He is almost always out in the field where the news happens. Casey has reported on extremism, houselessness, politics and Seattle’s nightlife.
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