Opposites converge at Wantagh eatery over former workers' alleged racial slur
The sidewalk in front of a Wantagh pizza restaurant became a place for fiery debate Saturday after a delivery driver there allegedly used a racist slur against a Black customer and was fired.
Dozens who turned out to protest at I Love Pizza on Merrick Road and draw attention to the accusation, were met by about two dozen counterprotesters. The opposing sides shouted face-to-face until separated by Nassau police officers positioned in front of the business and across the street.
More than 50 police officers surrounded the area, cordoned off the business and recorded the confrontations on video. A few of the officers watched on horseback. Police said there were no arrests.
The rally, organized by Terrel Tuosto, a West Hempstead resident and co-founder of Long Island Peaceful Protest, was sparked by a Black Massapequa women's allegation that a delivery driver for the restaurant sent her a text message containing a racial slur after she told him he wouldn't get a tip because he took too long.
Read more: https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/wantagh-pizza-restaurant-protest-racial-slur-1.50203646