By James Barrett
McDonald’s Apologizes; U.S. Consulate Warns African-Americans Not To Visit Region
A McDonald’s restaurant in Guangzhou, China — a city which contains one of the communist country’s largest African communities and is frequently visited by African traders — banned black people from entering the restaurant, an action which McDonald’s Corporation has since condemned and resulted in the temporary closure of the store. Amid reports that local officials have ordered other stores to bar people of African origin, the U.S. consulate in the city has warned African-Americans against visiting the region.
The controversy surrounding the Guangzhou McDonald’s began over the weekend amid reports that one of its restaurants in the city was specifically banning black people. The group Black Livity China, which describes itself as “documenting 360° of Black experiences both in China and in relation to China for the benefit of our global community,” tweeted out a video featuring a notice presented at the restaurant which reads in part: “We’ve been informed that from now on black people are not allowed to enter the restaurant.”
Again, for those who still doubt that Black people and particularly #AfricansinChina are being targeted we feel it is our duty to share this. A sign at a @McDonalds restaurant seems to make this perfectly clear pic.twitter.com/FaveKrdQHi
— Black Livity China (@BlackLivityCN) April 11, 2020
McDonald’s Corporation has since responded, stating that the restaurant’s discriminatory action “is not representative of our inclusive values” and announcing that the store was temporarily closed.