Group Of Black Women Report Unjust Treatment As Virginia Restaurant Allegedly Blocks Them From Dining

Nine Black women assert they were unjustly expelled from the Cork & Bull Chophouse in Chesapeake, Virginia, after management mistakenly linked them to two Black patrons involved in a violent altercation. They contend they were victims of racial profiling and are contemplating legal action against the establishment. Shakoya Sommerville-Holt recounted that on November 6, she and her friends gathered to celebrate Friendsgiving. Following their seating and drink orders, an intense brawl erupted nearby, leading to police involvement. Although management targeted them for expulsion, other non-Black patrons remained unchallenged.Attorney Joy Malbon-Griffin stated that while police cleared the group of any connection to the fight, a restaurant employee escalated the situation with disrespect. The women described the incident as humiliating, emphasizing the need for accountability and better training for staff against such discrimination. Local residents expressed outrage on social media, condemning the restaurant’s actions and vowing to boycott. The restaurant issued a vague apology, which many viewed as insufficient. (Photos: Cork & Bull Chophouse Facebook page, JMG Legal)