Sharpton, store’s CEO discuss racial profiling

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Civil-rights activist Al Sharpton met with the CEO of Barneys New York on Tuesday to discuss allegations of racial profiling at the high-end retailer, while the New York state attorney general’s office demanded its own meeting with Barneys and also Macy’s.

Two black customers accused Barneys of discrimination last week after they said they had lawfully purchased items but were detained by police on suspicion of credit-card fraud.

“We had a very candid and open meeting today to begin a dialogue,” Sharpton said after the private meeting with Barneys CEO Mark Lee at Sharpton’s National Action Network office in Harlem.

Lee said Barneys’ own initial investigation showed no employees were at fault in the two incidents, but he said the retailer does not tolerate discrimination and wants “to be part of the solution” to racial profiling.

Macy’s flagship Manhattan store also has been hit with a claim from a black actor that he was stopped because of his race while shopping. Macy’s didn’t comment on the litigation but said in a statement it was investigating.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office sent letters to the executives at both Barneys New York and Macy’s East noting that racial discrimination in places of public accommodation including stores is prohibited under state and local civil-rights law. The letters dated Monday asked executives at both stores to call the attorney general’s office to schedule meetings.

Speaking Tuesday in Buffalo, Schneiderman said, “We’re now demanding information from Barneys and Macy’s to assess their policies and their conduct in this regard.”

Lee said Barneys would “cooperate fully” with the attorney general.