Shopper Tackled (From YouTube Video) |
EAGLE ROCK -- A deaf shopper and his brother, who was tackled by a security guard outside a "Forever 21" store in Hollywood, says he is ready to file a lawsuit claiming discrimination.
The incident, which was caught on video by a cellphone camera and posted on YouTube, has been seen around the world. Many viewers expressed outrage at the way the situation was handled
Pablo Rea says he and his brother, Alejandro, are very angry about the way they were treated and will sue Forever 21 if they can't reach a settlement.
The brothers, who have been deaf since birth, say it's clear the security guard didn't know how to communicate with deaf people and used excessive force to stop his brother.
The video shows the security guard throwing Alejandro to the ground and putting him in a chokehold. At one point, Alejandro is seen turning blue.
The brothers' attorney says Alejandro suffered a swollen knee and injuries to his neck and leg along with bruises all over his body.
Pablo is seen in the video trying to get the guard's attention. "What I saw was an attack, and I didn't like it," Pablo told reporters through an interpreter during a news conference Thursday.
"I tried to get his attention to tell him my brother was deaf, but he completely ignored me," Rea said. "I completely disagree with the way they handled it. It looks like discrimination to me."
Forever 21 says the pair was stopped for shoplifting and that they tried to leave the scene. The company announced last week that the security guard involved in the scuffle has been suspended.
"We recognize that the security guard used excessive force, which is against our store policy and have suspended him indefinitely," said Forever 21 Marketing Department representative Kristen Strickler in a statement.
A group that advocates on behalf of the deaf is also questioning the tactics used by Forever 21 security guards during.
Dr. Patricia Hughes, CEO of GLAD, calls the incident "unacceptable" and says store employees are in need of sensitivity training when dealing with deaf customers.
LAPD officials said merchandise from the store was found in Rea's bag. Rea was arrested and charged with robbery and shoplifting.
Authorities say he also had a prior record of petty theft.
Forever 21 says they are reviewing the case.
Watch the video:
The incident, which was caught on video by a cellphone camera and posted on YouTube, has been seen around the world. Many viewers expressed outrage at the way the situation was handled
Pablo Rea says he and his brother, Alejandro, are very angry about the way they were treated and will sue Forever 21 if they can't reach a settlement.
The brothers, who have been deaf since birth, say it's clear the security guard didn't know how to communicate with deaf people and used excessive force to stop his brother.
The video shows the security guard throwing Alejandro to the ground and putting him in a chokehold. At one point, Alejandro is seen turning blue.
The brothers' attorney says Alejandro suffered a swollen knee and injuries to his neck and leg along with bruises all over his body.
Pablo is seen in the video trying to get the guard's attention. "What I saw was an attack, and I didn't like it," Pablo told reporters through an interpreter during a news conference Thursday.
"I tried to get his attention to tell him my brother was deaf, but he completely ignored me," Rea said. "I completely disagree with the way they handled it. It looks like discrimination to me."
Forever 21 says the pair was stopped for shoplifting and that they tried to leave the scene. The company announced last week that the security guard involved in the scuffle has been suspended.
"We recognize that the security guard used excessive force, which is against our store policy and have suspended him indefinitely," said Forever 21 Marketing Department representative Kristen Strickler in a statement.
A group that advocates on behalf of the deaf is also questioning the tactics used by Forever 21 security guards during.
Dr. Patricia Hughes, CEO of GLAD, calls the incident "unacceptable" and says store employees are in need of sensitivity training when dealing with deaf customers.
LAPD officials said merchandise from the store was found in Rea's bag. Rea was arrested and charged with robbery and shoplifting.
Authorities say he also had a prior record of petty theft.
Forever 21 says they are reviewing the case.
Watch the video:
