The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
The owner of a Beach night spot whose hair and dress code policies led to a discrimination lawsuit has agreed to apologize to the two patrons who were denied entrance in 2006 because of their dreadlocks.
Barry Davis, the owner of Kokoamos Island Bar & Grill and Yacht Club, agreed to those terms and others that were not disclosed as part of a settlement, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, which represented the plaintiffs.
The agreement ending the lawsuit was approved in U.S. District Court in Norfolk on Monday. The deal was reached about a month after the Justice Department worked out another settlement with Davis to enforce a new dress code policy and create a system to investigate complaints against employees.
In January 2007, the ACLU filed a lawsuit on the behalf of Kim Hines and Myron Evans, who said the nightspot's policies against patrons wearing braids, twists, cornrows or dreadlocks blocked mainly blacks from entering the club on Marina Shores Drive.
Hines and Evans were turned away on two occasions in the summer of 2006, according to the complaint, which sought unspecified monetary damages and an injunction ending the entry rules.
"This is how justice should work in a nation that demands equal treatment for all citizens," ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Kent Willis said in a news release. "The racially discriminatory policy is gone, a public apology has been issued, and Kokoamos will be monitored to make certain this does not happen again."
Duane Bourne, (757) 222-5150, duane.bourne@pilotonline.com
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Why is it that some will not accept truth?
Some of the posters must be kindergarten age. Or perhaps have never read anything with any degree of real comprehension. Why any adult, living in this great country longer than a day, feels the need to question the existence of civil rights organizations in the USA, is absolutely mind boggling!
Please read some History, not His Story! One may learn that other racial & ethnic groups have made great contributions to the USA, in the fields of Science, Exploration, Literature, Architecture, the Arts & more.
The first Anglo-Saxon settlers to our shores would have starved to death, if not for Native Americans teachings in agriculture, etc. Too many Whites refuse to deal with the truth of Great Cities, Advanced Learning in Astronomy, Math, etc.,existed in Africa, America & Asia in ancient times. Anglo- Saxon Europe was in the Dark Ages. By the way, the NAACP isn't, nor has it ever been, solely for Blacks.
This is the kind of story I've been waiting for
Just wait until Norfolk TRIES to ban smoking in bars/restaurants. They will be sued and I would be one of the first to do so.
Apologize or else
"Sorry you had to sue me"
rubyn84783
10 on your side did an undercover investigation...here is the article from the website
The ACLU of Virginia has filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the owner of Kokoamos Island Bar, Grill and Yacht Club.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Norfolk, challenges the Virginia Beach nightspot's rules of entry that prohibit patrons from wearing dreadlocks, cornrows, twists and braids.
The lawsuit calls the policy discriminatory because it unfairly targets hairstyles predominantly worn by African Americans.
Last November WAVY News 10 brought you an exclusive undercover investigation into Kokoamos.
We sent in two men wearing baggy pants and Timberland boots, which, according to club rules, are prohibited.
Both men -- one African-American, the other Caucasian -- tried to enter the club wearing identical outfits.
The Caucasian was let in, the African-American was not.
Who CARES???????
As an African American female who loves to dispute racially charged issues, i have to agree with the majority of the bloggers & say that this was a privately owned establishment. Thats like somone telling me I cant say who I do or dont want in my own. i understand that it is open to the public, but management should still be able to say who of that public they wish to allow entry to. Okay, they said that they didnt want you in because of your dreadlocks, find another club or comb your hair, but in event, Virginia beach has hundreds of clubs to choose from, with a better DJ. With all that is going on in the world, & all the other issues that hurt the black community, why in the world are we in court arguing over why she was denied entry to a club? It's too many pressing issues to debate besides your hair. This wasnt a racial issue, this was an issue of how can i bring my people down another notch....And boy, did she succeed.
Clubs and restaurants are public places
This case proves the point of everyone who wants smoking in bars and restaurants banned. Obviously, a privately owned establishment CANNOT refuse service to anyone they want.
Easier than winning the lottery...
Its all about the Benjamins baby. I posted a comment similar to this one and don't see it listed. Hmmmmmm...Anyway, maybe it struck a nerve with someone..a little too close to the truth maybe??? I'm curious to know what the "undisclosed" part of the agreement was. No doubt is was preceeded by a dollar sign. If this law suit was clearly about the principle of the matter, then there would be no undisclosed part of the agreement. They wanted an apology..and got it. That should be enough. I'm sure all the pain and suffering will go away on the way to the bank. What a crock!!!!!
What about age...
Maybe they should try putting an age limit on those with the "barred" clothing/hairstyles who get in. I mean, isn't that what they do at Peabody's on certain nights? Except that instead of race...it's gender. Certain nights to get in...males 21, females 18. They assume that its the younger male crowd that causes the trouble...as Kokomos assumed that it was those who fit their "barred from entry" standards that causes the trouble. May not discriminate based on age, sex, race or religion right? Where is the ACLU when it comes to Peabody's?? Oh that's right...it's more of the young white male getting discriminated against there...so they don't care.
VASWAGGER
What under cover invetigation are you talking about?Who performed it & where was it aired?
Dreads not allowed
The should not have to apologize for ANYTHING!.He set the rules for his private enterprise/establishment.IF you don't like it GO some place else & spend your money!All I see here is two people trying to turn a quick BUCK for doing nothing.