The Daily BuzzWilliamsburg bar facing backlash after female comedian starts social media boycott
“WOMEN: DO NOT GO TO CROWN VICTORIA BAR IN WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN. NOT EVEN ONCE”
A bar in Brooklyn has fired three security employees after a woman’s post about her terrible experience on Halloween caught the attention of the internet.
Comedian and internet personality Akilah Hughes was out at a bar in Brooklyn when she had an altercation with another patron after he allegedly began touching her hair. He became aggressive when she told him to stop.
She wrote about the incident on her blog.
We left shortly after, me and three friends. We turned a corner and the guy and his girlfriend caught up to us. The guy then punched me in the face. One of my friends jumped in and fought him off – getting two black eyes in the process. This was in front of Crown Victoria. I grabbed my mace and sprayed it at the assailing couple and asked the security guards for help. They decided to mock me, and treat me and the bleeding man who saved my life like trash. All they had to do was get ice or call the cops. Apparently we didn’t merit helping.
She alleges that the Crown Victoria security made it a point to let her know they would not be getting her ice, and that she should be more careful with her use of mace. They said they were surprised she is not punched in the face more often because she is so “annoying”.
Hughes was able to capture a lot of the exchange on video and published it on Twitter.
Hey @CrownVicBar– why do you support this "manager" telling a woman who was attacked that she deserved it? pic.twitter.com/l49d5E6J57
— Akilah Hughes (@AkilahObviously) November 1, 2015
The men who work security at crown Vic in Williamsburg. They saw a woman get punched and did not get ice. pic.twitter.com/FBqO8VEU4E
— Akilah Hughes (@AkilahObviously) November 1, 2015
Three grown men. Watched a woman get assaulted. Wouldn't get ice or call for help. @CrownVicBar. pic.twitter.com/qjIdABOKRt
— Akilah Hughes (@AkilahObviously) November 1, 2015
The bar and it’s management issued a statement regarding the incident, explaining that after reviewing security footage they have deemed the behaviour of security was “wholly unacceptable and will not be tolerated”.
They ended the statement by highlighting how much of their staff are female and that women’s safety is a huge concern for them.
We would like to point out that two of our three managers and five of our six bartenders are female, and that this behavior is not representative of the actions of our staff as a whole. Earlier this morning, we reached out to Akilah and we look forward to speaking with her to offer our sincere apologies.
Hughes updated her blog and addressed the Crown Victoria’s apology, saying she is glad that management addressed the situation, but the problem of violence against women still plagues society. She also addressed all the hate she’s been getting since originally posting about the situation.
To the men who continue to harass me: I don’t care… Best believe I am armed within my legal rights and I’m not going to live a day in fear because you’re immature, unevolved, and out of control.
And as for the original assailant, the man who physically assaulted Hughes? She said that a police report was filed and an NYPD investigation is underway.
