A Rhode Island donut shop announced it will end its military and police discounts after a Providence firefighter reported being racially profiled by two police officers.
"We're fed up. Until local police takes [sic] action to solve problems with racism & injustice, @alliesdonuts will choose to stand with the people of our great state," the store wrote Saturday on Instagram. "We will no longer offer military or police discounts. Thank you for your service, and shame on you for your silence."
In its Instagram story, Allie’s Donuts says it is dropping police and military discounts. pic.twitter.com/D6Fl0RX1UC
— Ashley Cullinane (@AshCullinane) June 6, 2020
The store said the profiling incident was "an example of terrible job performance" and that the officers would not face any consequences.
At a protest on Friday, a Providence firefighter told a reporter he had been profiled by two police officers earlier in the week. He said the officers approached him with guns drawn even though he was in his firefighter uniform.
The Providence Firefighters Union condemned the incident, saying it showed "that even in uniform, a young black man is not immune from the impact of systemic, institutional racism."
"Hopefully, we will not lose customers over our willingness to speak up. Our voice is tiny. Hopefully we can nudge those with louder voices in the community to take action towards a greater community good," the store's owner said. "We respect the military for their sacrifice, and their duty."
Ten thousand demonstrators gathered in Providence on Friday as part of widespread protests against police brutality. There were nine arrests and the demonstrations remained mostly peaceful, police said.
The news comes in the wake of National Donut Day, celebrated on June 5.