The CT NAACP is saying a ShopRite employee was asked to leave work on Tuesday because she had red coloring in her hair.
They say the worker was 18-year-old Dior Pinnock, daughter of former NFL player Andrew Pinnock.
On Wednesday, Andrew Pinnock was in tears as he, lawmakers and local advocates spoke about the incident. He said Dior had been working at ShopRite for over two months.
The NAACP is calling this a discriminatory action by management. They allege this act goes against Connecticut's Crown Act, which prohibits discrimination based on hairstyles commonly associated with people of color.
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Specific color of hair, however, is not specifically mentioned in the law’s language.
The NAACP said they plan to hold a rally next Tuesday to voice their concern over how Dior was treated, and shed more light on the issue of discrimination.
“She came to work to do her job, and then ShopRite tells her that she must leave based on her hair. That should not be tolerated. Not here in Enfield and nowhere across America,” CT NAACP President Scot X. Esdaile said.
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“There’s a point in time where you have to stand up for yourself. You can’t be pushed around and you can’t just let things slide, so that’s what this stand was for,” Andrew Pinnock said.
Harry Garafalo, managing partner of ShopRite of Enfield, released a statement.
"ShopRite of Enfield has always been committed to creating a culture of inclusion and belonging for the associates we employ, the customers we serve, and the suppliers with whom we do business. All are to be treated with dignity and respect.
"We recognize that the movement to “Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair,” or “CROWN” is now the law in 24 states including Connecticut.
"The Connecticut law prohibits race and national origin discrimination because of certain hairstyles including wigs, headwraps, braids, cornrows, locs, twists, Bantu knots, afros and afro puffs. ShopRite of Enfield’s policies and practices related to dress strive to be inclusive. These hairstyles do not violate the ShopRite of Enfield’s dress code policy; and we do not believe that the law was violated.
"ShopRite of Enfield is committed to policies and practices that provide a full and fair opportunity for employment, and career advancement, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic which our laws protect." the statement says.
