A Ronan McDonald’s faced backlash after a viral video showed an employee allegedly refusing service to Browning High School’s wrestling team. The incident occurred Thursday, stirring controversy due to its racial implications, as Browning is on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana.
The video features an employee saying, “Browning school is not allowed. We’re not allowed to serve you guys,” while a student comments, “I guess they don’t like Indians here.” Ronan, situated on the Flathead Reservation, has a predominantly white population, according to U.S. Census data.
Tara Tatsey, whose son captured the video, shared it on Facebook, quickly gaining over 150,000 views and 650 shares. Outrage ensued, with some Blackfeet members suspecting racial bias, leading to calls for a McDonald’s boycott.
Browning Public Schools Superintendent Rebecca Rappold confirmed the denial of service to the wrestling team in a statement. She emphasized a thorough investigation and possible legal action, commending the team for their dignified response despite the treatment from McDonald’s management.
Franchise owners Chris and Melissa Crawshaw labeled the situation a “misunderstanding” and apologized for the incident’s impact. Their statement, relayed through a McDonald’s spokesperson, assured efforts to resolve the matter and reiterated their policy of inclusivity: “Everyone is welcome in our restaurant. We’re honored to serve the Ronan community and look forward to welcoming all students at any time.”
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