It wasnsa国际传媒檛 just a kerfuffle over creamers, says a First Nations man from Nanaimo, and that was what was concerning to him.

Brandon Gabrielsa国际传媒檚 dining experience at the north-end Rickysa国际传媒檚 All-Day Grill location was all over Facebook this week after he alleged racial profiling at the restaurant.

Out for brunch on Tuesday morning with his three-year-old daughter and brother-in-law, the child drank all the creamers that had been set out on the table. Gabriel said when he asked for more creamers and a coffee refill, he was denied the creamers, told they were for coffee, not for children to drink. A couple at the adjacent table then asked for more creamers and their request was granted.

sa国际传媒淚 felt that there was a discriminatory-motivated excuse for [staffsa国际传媒檚] actions,sa国际传媒� said Gabriel, a member of the Kwantlen First Nation, who e-mailed a statement to the News Bulletin.

He asked to speak to a manager and he said the incident escalated into a sa国际传媒渧ery confrontational situationsa国际传媒� that made him emotional and upset. His Facebook post from that day, in which he alleged racial profiling in all-caps, has been shared nearly 2,000 times as of Saturday afternoon.

Rickysa国际传媒檚 provided an e-mailed statement to the News Bulletin, saying sa国际传媒渨e take matters such as the incident reported sa国际传媒� extremely seriouslysa国际传媒� and that it has been investigated.

sa国际传媒淲e would like to take this opportunity to state that while this incident was unfortunate, causing concern among guests at the restaurants and our loyal Rickysa国际传媒檚 patrons across Canada, that no racial-oriented language or actions occurred by our staff. We apologize for any miscommunication or misinterpretation of the events,sa国际传媒� the statement concludes.

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Gabriel said he respectfully disagrees with the restaurantsa国际传媒檚 response.

sa国际传媒淭he debacle was hurtful for all involved, and nobody involved in the matter will come out of this feeling absolved by the event in a meaningful or conciliatory way by the looks of it at this juncture,sa国际传媒� Gabriel said. sa国际传媒淏ut I do wish that it ends on a much more respectful note.sa国际传媒�

He told another media organization earlier this week that he wished for a public apology and a refund on his meal, but told the News Bulletin on Friday night that for reasons of privacy and a love for the Nanaimo community, he doesnsa国际传媒檛 want more negative attention on the matter.

sa国际传媒淲e wish to bring forth an end to this incident that occurred at Rickysa国际传媒檚 Restaurant in north Nanaimo in a good way,sa国际传媒� Gabriel said.

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editor@nanaimobulletin.com
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