Phoenix man accuses AMC theater of racial profiling after he's accused of sneaking in; his video goe

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Arizona Republic

Phoenix man accuses AMC theater of racial profiling after he's accused of sneaking in; his video goes viral
BrieAnna J Frank, Arizona Republic Published 10:30 a.m. MT March 13, 2019 Updated 3:49 p.m. MT March 13, 2019

- video at link -



An accusation of racial profiling against AMC's Ahwatukee theater by a Phoenix man who posted cellphone videos of his encounter has sparked an outcry on social media and prompted some to call for a boycott of the movie-theater chain.

Larry Shelton, a movie-theater patron, says he was asked to leave the theater after being accused of not paying for a ticket and refusing to show his ticket to a security guard who approached him in the theater on Saturday.

One video taken by Shelton and posted on his Facebook page showed him talking to the security guard for a few minutes and asking why he was being asked to leave. He tells the guard to review security footage, which he said would prove that he purchased his ticket and did not sneak through an exit door to watch the movie without paying.

The theater's manager briefly appears before the video ends. A second video, which had gotten nearly 570,000 views as of Tuesday evening, shows two police officers inside of the theater before Shelton makes his way out alongside the AMC staff members, who had not been identified as of Tuesday evening.

Read more: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/ahwatukee/2019/03/13/larry-shelton-accuses-amc-ahwatukee-phoenix-arizona-racial-profiling-video-goes-viral/3146908002/

[left-of-center2012]

2. From the linked article ...

"he was asked to leave the theater
after being accused of not paying for a ticket
and refusing to show his ticket to a security guard"

Why didn't he just show his ticket and avoid the big confrontation?

[bitterross]

3. I have the same question.

Of course, I'm an old white guy. So I've never been asked to prove I paid for anything. Police don't pull me over even when I do speed or make other infractions.

So, since I benefit from white privilege every day I probably can't understand how insulting it is to be asked to prove you paid for things all the time.

[Jake Stern]

13. I've been asked several times for my ticket stub over the years

The difference is that my default reaction isn't to be an epic jackass about it. I show the guy my ticket stub, he says something along the lines of "Thanks. Enjoy the show" and I'm back enjoying the flick in no time.

Same with showing my receipt at the door at Walmart. Give the guy my receipt, he takes a quick glance at it and out the door I go. Less than 10 seconds.

[kooth]

14. White Privilege Much?

People of color are falsely accused all the time: White privilege makes these heartless idiots feel empowered when they hassle someone they look down upon.

Perhaps the staff member who reported that they "saw" this man come through the emergency exit can explain why the alarm didn't sound?

Please people stop with the racial profiling and white privilege already!

[NewEnglandAutumn]

8. Pride/Self Respect

When approached by staff and asked to show proof of purchase or ability to pay it is a very upsetting/embarrassing position to be in. You are being judged by the staff and everyone around you. I have never forgotten of being accused of intending to steal from a store when I was a kid. An employee was of the opinion that a kid my age would not have the money to buy the record I was looking at. It was traumatizing for me.
I also have empathy for the theatergoer because one of my sons is on the autism spectrum. If he were confronted like this he would panic. Even if he had a ticket stub in his pocket, it is very possible he would freeze and be unable to comply. If be some miracle he was able to comply he would be unable to leave our home for a few days. Going to any movie would be impossible for him for at least a few months and he would never be able to go back to where he was confronted.

[Judi Lynn]

10. There are a lot of people who become frozen when confronted by people so clearly out of line.

It can produce a conflict that's almost impossible to overcome.

Rage, shock, recognition the person actually sees you as a criminal, pain, more rage, rinse, repeat. Some people, instead of making monsters of themselves in response to monstrous behavior, crumble inside and become unable to react the way they would wish they had, long after the event.

Some people are TAUGHT that reacting in anger, or getting personal with people, even when they do it to you, is simply inappropriate, period. Taught that from earliest consciousness.

There is always suffering attached to not having been able to control the situation, but some people are simply not made in that mold.

Thank you for your comments.

[ecstatic]

4. Sue. We're going to have to start letting the money

talk. Words and video don't work.

[crim son]

6. People sneak into theaters all the time.

I believe a lawsuit in this case would be a ridiculous reaction to a situation that need not have received any notice whatsoever if the gentleman had produced his ticket.

[crim son]

5. Show the ticket.

I've been asked twice in my life to show my ticket when returning from the restroom. I'm a white, blonde-haired woman. Yes this might be a racial issue but I think the purpose of the ticket is to act as proof of purchase.

[TexasBushwhacker]

9. I'm white. I've been asked for my ticket too.

Plenty of people treat themselves to a double or triple feature when they pay for one screening. It's called theft.

[DRoseDARs]

7. "and Shelton then showed both the manager and the police his ticket showing he paid" It gets worse..

"The manager says again that he believes Shelton sneaked into the theater, and Shelton then showed both the manager and the police his ticket showing he paid to watch that movie. He tells them he had gone to a restroom then to the concession stand to refill his drink.

The police officers state that no crime was committed and that they cannot get involved in a civil dispute. Shelton makes his way out of the theater, asking for a refund on the way out. The manager says he cannot issue a refund because Shelton violated the theater's code of conduct by having his cellphone light on during the movie through his recording of the incident."

[Judi Lynn]

11. The little bully was probably reveling in his moment of power. That was simply evil. n/t

[DRoseDARs]

12. All aboard the choo-choo train to Civil Lawsuitville! nt