Video shows Taco Bell security guard slapping woman at DTLA Cantina
Viral video shows security guard slapping woman at LA Taco Bell Cantina
Video posted online shows a security guard slapping a woman at a downtown LA Taco Bell Cantina. Now community members are asking for the guard to be fired and arrested.
LOS ANGELES - A coalition of African American leaders and activists are calling for the arrest and firing of a Taco Bell Cantina security guard after video shared online shows him slapping a woman.
The incident happened Feb. 9 at the downtown LA location on 7th Street.
At the beginning of the video, the unidentified woman and security guard appear to be in some sort of altercation. She then walked over to the digital ordering screen and as she started typing, the security guard pulled her away and immediately slapped her in the face.
She then walks to the other side of the restaurant as the guard follows her. In the video, the woman could be heard saying "get away from me" repeatedly. The guard was also heard repeatedly asking her to leave.
They continue to exchange words, then the woman proceeds to leave the restaurant.
Taco Bell Cantina security guard slaps woman
A security guard at a Taco Bell Cantina in downtown Los Angeles was seen on camera slapping a woman during a confrontation. Civil rights leaders are now calling for the guard to face consequences.
"Our coalition of civil rights leaders are demanding accountability from Taco Bell leadership and want a meeting with [CEO Sean] Tresvant to discuss customer safety and improved security measures to ensure that customers aren't assaulted by Taco Bell security along with the arrest and prosecution of the security guard responsible for the assault. Our organizations have volunteers in search of the victim who may be homeless," Najee Ali, Director of Project Islamic Hope, said in a statement.
Activist and political strategist Jasmyne Cannick is also calling for the security guard's arrest. On her website, iAmJasmine.com, she argued that the security guard had no right to put his hands on her.
"I don’t care if she walked in there, cussed out everyone and their mommas, dropped her pants, took a piss, and then left a parting gift right in the middle of the dining room— that security guard still had no right to hit her," she wrote in the column.
She argued getting fired would not be enough.
"Losing a job doesn’t erase the fact that on the video he walked up behind a woman and punched her in the face like it was just another day at work. That’s not just excessive force—that’s assault. And last time I checked, assault is a crime," she said in the column.
Taco Bell has yet to issue a statement.
It's unclear what led to the altercation. It's also unclear if the woman was under the influence. Unlike regular Taco Bells, Taco Bell Cantina is allowed to sell alcohol.