Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Monday, September 07, 2020

Grocery store chain says employees can't wear American flag masks because they're 'offensive' — it quickly changes course after backlash

North Carolina-based grocery chain Food Lion will now permit its employees to wear American flag-themed face masks while working at its stores.

The company went viral earlier this week after one of its employees revealed he quit after being told to avoid wearing his American flag-themed mask.
According to a recent report from WCTI-TV, the move appears to be in response to the employee — as well as his supporters — demanding such masks after the company initially prohibited them.
Controversy initially brewed after employee Gary Dean, a 69-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran showed up to work wearing an American flag-printed mask.
Dean said that a store manager told him that someone found the mask offensive, and informed Dean that he could no longer wear the mask while working.

"As a veteran, my dad being a World War II hero, my best friend killed in Vietnam, out of respect for them, I can't just say, 'No, I'll take my flag and put it in my pocket," Dean said.

So instead, he quit — and his story began to gain traction across the internet.

Days later, the company changed its stance on the masks.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

No business can dictate What KIND of masks esp Patriotic ones !!!!

Anonymous said...

Damn right. I was done shopping at food lion. How stupid to take a stance like that. As usual. One Freaking POS FOREIGNER doesn't like the AMERICAN FLAG. When our these idiot mangers tell them TOO BAD for once. Lucky I wasn't the manager. As a 10 year MARINE VETERAN. I would have told them GET F**KED!!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you Mr. Dean, for your service and for standing up to these embarrassing jerks.

Jerry said...

It would appear that an individual regardless of ethnic background or just human cannot be on the face of this earth without offending...

Get a life...

Anonymous said...

Glad they changed their stance or they would go out of business as well. This is AMERICA folks!

Anonymous said...

1012 careful there...any private entity can make its own rules whenever it wants since zero government interference is involved.

However private entities now have social headlights on them whenever a person voices their opinion. Public outcry is always bad for business. Regardless of politics.

Anonymous said...

#Boycott foodlion

Anonymous said...

wear my everyday BLM and in small print sucks

Anonymous said...

Food Lion 817 snow hill road Monday the store had been open for 40 minutes went to check out only ONE checkout line open. Went to see what was going on 4-5 employees on west side of the building smoking and talking, the manager on the east side of the building smoking and talking on the phone. Are there any decent grocery stores left in salisbury??

Anonymous said...

Fine them , & teach them a lesson !!!