Canopy by Hilton complaint: Discrimination

There is a nice area outside the hotel where the sun hits perfectly and people go to sit on benches on their break etc. I have been going there for 1 year straight and do not cause any one problems.

Last week I was approached by a security guard telling me customers complained that I was outside and they could smell drugs. I was smoking a cigarette when the guy approached me and told me that because of this allegation I had to remove myself from the area. I corrected him and told him it was a public walkway and I did not have to move for anyone. I also was not the one smoking drugs and asked him to provide proof as to why he had approached me for this. I was told that it was just customers saying it and he had to follow up. I felt discriminated against as I was not the only person in the area that could have been the culprit.

Today, 25/5/2024, I went to the same place on my break and hadn’t even been there for 2minutes before I saw the same security guard approaching. He came straight to me told me he could smell drugs and that he had to remove me. I had had enough at this point and told him to take me to his manager as, according to him, they are the ones that sent him out to me. I was threatened with police and he kept telling me I had to leave a public area. Funny enough the guys smoking drugs were right in front of him as he wrongfully accused me. Both times he has approached me I have mentioned the possibility of me being black and maybe wearing a hoodie at times as the possible reasons for peoples concern and instant judgement, both time he has denied this but has never approached anyone of any other colour in the same area about anything to do with smoking.

I met the managers outside today with the security guard and they stated that I wasn’t committing any crime or anything it’s just the customers complaining about the smell. This showed me that the choice to approach only me was intentional and I have been targeted every time this smell of drugs pops up as a problem.

I have told the managers to leave me alone on my break and the security to never approach me again or he will have serious problems. I’m not here to be racially profiled by anyone.