Serious incident of Saturday February 8th 2020.
Location: The Living Room Bar of The W Hotel, Minneapolis, MN.

I write with the reference to the above and, at the outset, must stress to you the gravity of what I am about to detail.

I was at the above venue, on the above date, enjoying some drinks with my friend. We were having a very relaxing time chatting to friends at the bar as well as the bartender. The atmosphere was most serene, friendly and unimposing.

Without warning, three men suddenly approached my friend and I. While they did not identify themselves, I knew from the way they were dressed that they were hotel bouncers.

To both our surprise and dismay, one of the men stated that there had been supposed complaints about my friend and I “ Were talking to other peoples their wives” – something that I was utterly perplexed about then and remain so now.

I would like categorically stress that not only were my friend and I chatting to friends at the bar, but I also am married. Bemused, but not wishing to participate in this seeming provocation, I merely turned around to finish my drink.

Regrettably though, the provocation continued. One of the bouncers retorted with “I was being nice. Now you will have to leave.” Again, not wishing to be a participant in this provocation, I said “Sure, no problem – I just need to make sure my tab is paid and that I have my credit card.” At this point, matters swiftly deteriorated.

The bouncer in question grabbed my arm, which was wholly uncalled for. Consequently, I said “Please don’t touch me, I am complying.” We then proceeded to walk out, in circumstances that were both embarrassing and humiliating. Other patrons were staring at us and, given that we were the only gentlemen of color in the venue, you will no doubt appreciate how appalling a spectacle that this was.

Matters became worse. Despite my best efforts to exit the venue in a timely fashion, the bouncer in question proceeded to assail me by grabbing the collar of my jacket and then violently pushing me out of the door. As he did so, he yelled “This is my house motherf*cker!” in front of all to see.

Following this, I called 911. However, as I did so, there happened to be a police officer outside who stated that as he was working there, there was no need to call 911. I explained what had happened to the police officer and he called the venue general manager who I believe to be Ms. Ally McLeod.

I explained to Ms. McLeod that I certainly had not been loud or problematic in the bar. Further that I completely comply with everything that had been asked of me, yet I had still been assailed by one of the bouncers in an abjectly embarrassing and humiliating fashion.

Ms. McLeod said that I was right but that she had to “go with her employee” in this case. I was completely stunned by her answer and asked ‘what if I had fallen and seriously injured myself’. Her reply to that was an indifferent “Well you did not” whereupon she departed.

The following day I filled out a police report pertaining to this incident.

This entire episode was, as I am sure you will agree, both appalling and utterly avoidable. I have been a patron at the W Hotel (and its parent company) since 1988 and never, in all of that time, I have I never been treated in such a dreadful fashion.

In light of the above, I would ask you to investigate this unsavory incident as a matter of urgency. My character has been defamed, demeaned and sullied. That your staff would indulge in such uncalled for and brute behavior is absolutely unbecoming of the good name of the W Hotel.



Sincerely


Ade Erinkitola