The San Francisco police union has slammed an Arab bakery for refusing to serve police officers when they are armed and in uniform.
The officer went to Reem’s California Misson, an Arab bakery and restaurant located on 25th and Mission, on Thursday, and was refused service. San Francisco Police Officer (SPOA) President Lieutenant Tracy McCray accused the Arab establishment of showing ‘anti-police bigotry.’
But, a spokesperson with Reem’s claims that their policy- that has been in effect since the restaurant opened its doors in 2017 – is not to serve anyone who is armed, including on-duty police officers. Their restaurant also prohibits firearms, as per Mission Local.
McCray learned of their policy in an email and told Fox News Digital: ‘Let’s just put all kidding aside — that’s directed at police officers.’
She quipped: ‘Because who do you see visible most of the time? So, just cut out the bulls–, just say what you mean, and we can move on.’
San Francisco Police Officer (SPOA) President Lieutenant Tracy McCray accused the Arab establishment of showing ‘anti-police bigotry,’ in a series of tweets and to ‘own their discriminatory policy,’ she said, in part
Reem’s California Mission is an Arab bakery and restaurant that has been in business since 2017. Their policy includes ‘no armed and uniformed’ and ‘no gun’ policy has been in effect since they opened their doors
The SPOA designed a ‘no cops allowed’ sign that they feel is in line with the restaurant’s police
The San Francisco Police Officer Association posted this ‘No Cops Allowed’ tweet on Thursday
McCray asked the restaurant if they would put up a sign about the policy, so officers would know not to frequent the business.
The union president said she did not receive a response back, Fox News Digital reported.
McKray said that the officer had just gotten off of a 16-hour work shift and was doing overtime at a nearby car show when he went to the Arab establishment.
The same day that the officer was turned away, the SPOA posted a series of tweets informing the public of what had occurred.
‘We are not asking Reem’s or any business with a bigoted policy to serve our officers. We’re asking them to own their discriminatory policy & and put up a sign so we know not to spend money in your establishment—on or off duty. We took the liberty of designing one for them.’
The second tweet by the SPOA stated: ‘NO COPS ALLOWED. That’s the confirmed policy of the bakery chain Reem’s. One of our officers was denied service last weekend because he was in uniform.
‘Reem’s confirms that they will not serve anyone armed and in uniform. Presumably, this includes members of the US Military.’
A spokesperson with Reem’s responded stating that the officers are welcome to come when they are not on duty.
Reem’s California Mission posted a response to the incident on their Instagram
The restaurant took to Instagram expressing their gratitude to their supporters
‘The policy is for armed officers, and we let police officers know that we welcome them back to our establishment when they’re off duty and unarmed,’ they tweeted.
In a follow-up statement on August 25, Reem’s posted a statement on their Instagram regarding their involvement with the communty.
‘Reem’s has a deep commitment to uplifting social and racial justice in our communities,’ the statement read.
‘This includes fostering an environment of safety for our staff and customers. In a time of increased gun violence — particularly impacting people of color, youth, and queer people — we believe that maintaining a strict policy of prohibiting guns in our restaurant keeps us safer.’
The post continued: ‘Many members of our community have been impacted by gun violence, whether that be experience on the streets of San Francisco having come from war or occupation, or having increased fears due to a growing climate of political extremism. All too often, Black and brown people, and poor people are the victims of this violence,” it continued.
McCray told the news outlet that the statement is ‘disingenuous’ after she only received a two-sentence email confirming what SPOA deemed a ‘no cops allowed’ policy.
‘How do you enforce that?’ McCray asked of the policy. ‘Is this the honor system? You come in, and does everyone ask you, ‘Are you armed?’
Reem’s California Mission is located in the Mission District in San Francisco
The post garnered thousands of views with many voicing mixed reaction on the incident that took place.
‘It’s their right to refuse service to anyone,’ someone wrote. ‘We need to respect their rights!!!.’
‘That’s discrimination, Pal,’ another person chimed in.
Someone asked: ‘What happens when they need the police officers help because a real BAD GUY with a gun shows up to rob them? who they gonna call, (GHOST BUSTERS) BECAUSE THEY JUST BLACKBALLED law enforcement.’
The restaurant posted that they are closed for vacation until September 5 for a ‘scheduled break for the team,’ but a Reem’s representative said they are open for catering.
Reem’s posted to their Instagram their gratitude to its supporters.
‘Thank you for all your support community. It is times like these that make us hopeful that our small business can survive and stay grounded in our values,’ the post reads.
‘We can’t wait to reopen our doors very soon and provide the sanctuary space you all deserve. In the meantime, please check out our catering page online and support us during our temporary closure.’
The San Francisco Police Department told the news outlet on Friday in an email.
‘While businesses have the right, within the constraints of the law, to decide who they will and will not serve, the San Francisco Police Department remains steadfast in its commitment to meeting the public safety needs of ALL residents, businesses and visitors to our city no matter who they are,’ The San Francisco Standard reported.