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Between the protests in Ferguson, the Gaza conflict, and Boko Haram’s terrorism in Nigeria, there is so much going on in the world right now. We’re fighting the good fight for what’s right – but in the midst of it all, who knew Macy’s, one of our favorite department stores, would end up on the other side of things?

The Civil Rights bureau started investigating the upscale chain’s Herald Square location last year after they received several complaints about racial profiling. Minority customers said they’d been harassed and singled out by security guards, even though they hadn’t stolen anything or committed any crime on the premises.

Macy’s has decided to pay up (as if they really had any other choice?). Jezebel reports:

In addition to the $650,000 settlement, the store agreed to implement new policies against profiling, respond to complaints from customers and keep better records about who their security guards are detaining and why. For three years, Macy’s will have to report on compliance as well.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman confirms that there was in fact a pattern of incidents that singled out minority customers. According to the Associated Press:

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said the settlement should help ensure customers are treated equally regardless of race or ethnicity at the retail giant’s 42 department stores statewide. “It is absolutely unacceptable — and it’s illegal — for anyone in New York to be treated like a criminal simply because of the color of their skin,” Schneiderman said.

The office recorded complaints from 18 African-American, Latino and other ethnic minority customers who claimed they’d been apprehended and detained at Macy’s stores between 2007 and 2013, despite not having stolen or attempted to steal any merchandise. The complaints included customers detained after traveling between floors by escalator with unconcealed merchandise. Other customers speaking limited English and suspected of shoplifting or credit card fraud were not permitted to make phone calls, denied access to an interpreter and required to sign trespass notices they couldn’t understand. The agreement cites Macy’s data from October 2012 through October 2013 showing employees apprehended and detained 1,947 individuals at the Herald Square store. Meanwhile, about 6,000 people were detained at stores statewide.

Macy’s also released a statement on the settlement:

“To be clear, our company’s policies strictly prohibit any form of discrimination or racial profiling and any occurrence of such behavior will not be tolerated in our organization,” the company said. “We also will be adopting an expanded role for our security monitor to help ensure that we have the right policies and procedures in place, and that we are constantly reviewing our compliance with them.”

The revolution will not be televised, but it will be exposed. By any means necessary.

SOURCE: Jezebel, AP | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty 

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