Regular readers may recall that we reported back in early March that a laundromat employee apparently disgusted by some unhygienic behavior (that has not been entirely spelled out) had posted a sign saying no Burmese were permitted in the store. You can imagine the ruckus that caused! I believe the sign wasn’t even up for a day but it has produced enormous controversy in the city with the highest Burmese population in the US.
By the way, readers should know that there are many ethnic groups of Burmese admitted to the US through the refugee program. Some are Christian, a few are Buddhists and a growing number are Muslims, including the most recent controversial group the Rohingya. To learn more about the Rohingya, visit our category on the subject of their resettlement here.
Back to the latest from Ft. Wayne. When you read this story you can’t help but think that the offending business, Ricker’s Oil, was blackmailed into making a payment to the Burmese Advocacy Center that was larger than the fine it would have paid otherwise.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Ricker’s Oil donated $2,500 to Fort Wayne’s Burmese Advocacy Center (BAC), publicly apologized a second time, and promised to provide diversity training to all of its Fort Wayne employees, after an employee posted a ‘No Burmese Allowed’ sign outside its Calhoun Street laundromat.
The donation and training is part of a settlement announced in a press conference, Thursday afternoon.
The controversial sign was posted in March. The company’s president removed it immediately after it finding out and made a public apology via youtube.
Fort Wayne’s Metro Human Relations department filed a human rights complaint against the company, while dozens from the Fort Wayne Burmese community demanded more action from the City.
According to Metro Executive Director Gerald Foday, the $2,500 donation is in lieu of a $500 fine the company would’ve paid to the City for each day the violation occured.
As far as I know there was no apology from the leaders of the Burmese “community” or their ambulance chasing lawyer for the behavior of the few who did (spit, urinate, or whatever) in the laundromat. It’s always the complaining racists who are at fault according to lawyer Proctor.
“You cannot say just because one or a handful of people did some conduct that that is what the Burmese do,” added Patrick Proctor, a board member at the BAC.
I told you everything you need to know about Union lawyer Patrick Proctor, here. He wasn’t even on the board of the BAC when the incident first occurred.
So what do you think, do you think Proctor helped calm the situation in Ft. Wayne or inflame it? This is a prime example of the Alinsky-create-crisis-over-race stategy we have reported on many occasions. It is more evidence that the Far Left uses refugees and immigrants to advance their political agenda. Right now that agenda is to paint Americans as a bunch of redneck racists. Will the Ricker’s “fine” produce better feelings in the community toward the refugees—NO! Just see the comments, a few of which are posted below, to see the fallout.
How about if this issue had been dealt with in a less inflammatory way? How about if the “leaders” of the Burmese community (without Proctor!) had mediated with Ricker’s and the Burmese had met the Ft. Wayne citizenry half way with a quiet apology that went something like this: ‘We want to learn American ways because we want to live here peacefully, so we will work really hard to teach new immigrants and refugees American customs and laws.’ And, Ricker’s had said they would be sure their employees understood and had some initial patience (and were assured that they could call the police if disorderly behavior continues to occur). How about if the political leaders in the city allowed for a public meeting to discuss the whole refugee program so the community understood the facts? Much of the problem with the program in most US cities is the secrecy that surrounds it. Oh no, that won’t happen because that doesn’t fit the political agenda of people like Proctor.
So, here are some comments, you tell me if the episode and the “fine” (extortion!) and the lack of apology from the Burmese helped the situation in Ft. Wayne.
Diana said:
This is sad. Although the sign should not have been posted, it is the Burmese who do not learn and change when they come to our city. Hopefully, this whole experience is for the better and they learn hygiene and respect the law in our country. Seems like we have to take the burden and compromise but there is no change from these refugees. Ridiculous. If you do not like rules, cleanliness and the law we will pay you to get the heck out and go back to Burma any day.
Meaty:
what a crock…these people come into our country do not respect our values and yet we owe them!!!!
Sad Hoosier:
So no one has to answer questions about the “inappropriate behaviour” of the Burmese people? Give me a break. When will the City start supporting local businesses rather than throwing them under the bus as a scapegoat? Metro is a complete joke – Its so easy to throw the race card, completely impossible to defend against and absolutely destroys meaningful dialogue. And people wonder why others come across as xenophobic? Who stands up to support the working individual and business taxpayers?
Tom:
Now I hate the Burmese even more!
Good job Proctor, are you proud of your accomplishment? Wow! A whole $2500 and diversity training and more bad feelings toward the Burmese.