2nd shopper accuses Barneys of racial profiling

NEW YORK (AP) — Another shopper is accusing Barneys New York of racial profiling...

theGrio featured stories

NEW YORK (AP) — Another shopper is accusing Barneys New York of racial profiling.

Kayla Phillips, who is black, says police questioned her after she purchased a $2,500 designer handbag at the high-end department store in February.

She says she came forward after hearing about a lawsuit brought by a black teen who said he was wrongfully detained after buying an expensive belt.

The 21-year-old Phillips says she was surrounded by police after leaving the store. She says they demanded to know why she used a debit card without a name on it.

She says it was a temporary card. After showing them identification and a new debit card that had arrived in the mail that morning, they let her go.

Barneys has denied involvement in any detention. The officers’ role is under internal review.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Mentioned in this article:

More About: