GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich. – Three women who were told to leave the bar at Blufin Sushi restaurant Saturday night in Grosse Pointe Farms believe it was due to their race.
The women recorded part of their encounter with restaurant staff on Facebook live.
"I am not going anywhere. You chose the only black people in the establishment and asked them to get up. You are out of order," a woman on the video is heard saying.
Tanisha Prater was the one doing the recording. She said she and her friends were told to leave Blufin Sushi after they ordered food and a few drinks. They believe they were targeted by the general manager.
"She said, 'Well, there are customers who want to sit here at the bar and if you ladies aren't done we can move you over to another table,'" said Kimberly Hudson.
Adrienne Savage said there were other people at the bar but the manager only approached their group. The women said no one was seated at the bar after they left.
"My hands are shaking. I have not experienced this kind of racism in quite a long time, and honestly I don't know how to take it," Prater is heard saying on the Facebook video.
Police said the manager called them and explained she was trying to make space and she thought Prater, Hudson and Savage already had cashed out. The women said that's not true.
"As a general manager you can easily find out who has cashed out and who has not," said Savage.
Local 4 reached out to the restaurant but has not received a comment. The restaurant was closed Sunday.
The women all live in nearby Grosse Pointe Park. They are mothers in their 40s. They are seeking charges against the general manager at Blufin. They want her charged with assault and racial descrimination.
Grosse Pointe Farms police are investigating the report.
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