(AllHipHop News) Another incident of “shopping-while-black” in a New York City department store is making news. This time the retailer is Macy’s and the victim is a star of the HBO program Treme. Robert Brown is suing Macy’s in Manhattan Supreme Court for allegedly having him detained by police for almost an hour in June. Brown says Macy’s employees accused him of using a fraudulent credit card.
The accusation of illegal credit card use against Brown is similar to the cases of Trayon Christian and Kayla Phillips. The two New York residents claimed they were discriminated against by Barneys earlier this week. Their situations sparked widespread criticism of the high-end store and led to an online petition asking Jay Z to end his business relationship with Barney’s.
Brown was at Macy’s to purchase a $1,300 Movado watch as a college graduation gift for his mother. He was stopped and held by plainclothes officers who he says made the comment that he “could not afford to make such an expensive purchase.” He was not charged for any crime.
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The Finding Forrester and Coach Carter actor also names the New York Police Department in his lawsuit claiming they violated his civil rights. He’s seeking an unspecified amount in the case. His lawyer says the lawsuit is about justice not money.
“Why was I put in cuffs? Why was I even approached?” Brown asked last night. “It was a slap in the face.”
New York City’s Law Department will review the lawsuit. Macy’s released the statement:
We are investigating the alleged claims, as we were just made aware of this lawsuit. We do not comment on matters in litigation.
[ALSO READ: Stars of “Notorious” & “Family Matters” Say They Were Racially Profiled By South Carolina Police]
Watch the Pix 11 report below.
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