The owner of a coffee shop in Washington DC went on a racist tirade against a Spanish-speaking Uber Eats delivery driver, demanding that he learn English and mocking his language. The incident was caught on camera and posted on TikTok, where it quickly went viral. The owner, Greg Harris, can be seen yelling at the driver, Gregorio Amundarain, telling him to learn English and making racially charged remarks. The video drew outrage and led to the owner being banned from the Uber Eats platform.
Amundarain, who had moved from Venezuela to the US in search of a better life for his family, said that the encounter with the owner escalated quickly and he began recording for his safety. He felt disrespected by the way he was treated and filed a report with the DC police department, who are investigating the incident as a potential hate crime and simple assault. As a result of the incident, Canna Coffee, the shop owned by Harris, was found to be operating illegally by DC Health officials.
DC Health inspected Canna Coffee and found several violations on September 11, leading to the shop being shut down on September 18 until further notice. It was also revealed that the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection had been investigating the business for months and had filed two notices of infraction against Canna Coffee. Harris and his lawyer are planning to hold a news conference to address the situation, while authorities continue to investigate the violations and the incident involving the Uber Eats driver.
The video of the racist tirade sparked outrage and resulted in Uber banning Canna Coffee from its platform. The company stated that hate has no place on their platform and that they were working to ensure the well-being of the driver who was mistreated by the shop owner. DC Health officials confirmed that Canna Coffee remained open despite the summary suspension issued and are continuing to investigate the violations found at the establishment. The DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection also filed notices of infraction against the shop. Despite these actions taken against Canna Coffee, the owner has not released an official statement on the incident.
The incident involving the owner of Canna Coffee and the Uber Eats delivery driver brought attention to the issue of discrimination and racism in society. It emphasized the importance of tolerance and respect for individuals of different backgrounds and languages. The viral video of the encounter led to accountability for the owner and his business by authorities, showcasing the consequences of engaging in discriminatory behavior. The investigation into the violations found at Canna Coffee highlighted the need for proper oversight and regulation of establishments to ensure the safety and well-being of both customers and employees.
