Smart & Final paid the city of Los Angeles $10,000 Tuesday to settle a discrimination claim after a Black shopper accused the grocery chain of enforcing a “bag policy” based on race.
The City Council voted 10-0 to instruct the Civil, Human Rights and Equity Department to accept the money from the grocery chain, as well as $1,500 from it’s security vendor, Non-Stop Security Services. From the collected fine, a city commission will provide $5,750 to Corey Brown, who filed a complaint with the city after experiencing alleged discrimination at a Smart & Final, located at 845 S. Figueroa Street.
Smart & Final did not immediately respond to a request for comment as of Tuesday afternoon.
“The Civil Rights Enforcement Unit has only existed for a few years, and they are already making Los Angeles a more just and equitable city,” City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez, who chairs the council’s Civil Rights Committee, said in a statement.
“This should send a clear message to unscrupulous actors in Los Angeles — we are ready to come after you and make sure that this city’s commerce, education, employment and housing are free of discrimination,” he continued.
In March, the Civil Rights Department filed a notice of violation against the grocery chain and its security vendor for violating the Civil and Human Rights Law. It prohibits discrimination in the private sector in the areas of commerce, education, employment and housing. The department’s Civil Rights Enforcement Unit is responsible for receiving and investigating complaints, as well as enforcement of fines and other actions.
On Sept. 22, 2022, Brown reported that security personnel at the grocery store told him he had to remove his backpack and leave it at the front, according to the Civil Rights Department.
Brown decided to drop off his backpack at home, and returned to the store. He realized that customers of different races were permitted to shop with their backpacks, according to the Civil Rights Department.
He later filed a compliant with the department, which prompted an investigation. City personnel conducted interviews and it determined that “bag policy” at this Smart & Final location was enforced discriminatorily based on customers’ appearances.
Residents who experience civil rights violations in commerce, education, employment or housing are encouraged to report them to L.A. Civil Rights by calling 213-978-1845 or filing a complaint at LACivilRightsClaim.com.