A now viral video of a CVS store manager in Chicago calling the police on a black woman for trying to use a manufacturer’s coupon at a CVS on Friday night has caused the pharmaceutical company to issue an apology.
According to the Chicago Sun Times, Camilla Hudson said in a widely shared Facebook post, “So, THIS just happened: I had the police called on me for attempting to use a coupon @ the CVS Pharmacy located at 6150 N. Broadway in Chicago!”
In the video, the manager, who identified himself as Morry Matson can be seen in a video recorded by Hudson calling authorities. While on the phone he described her as an African American. She quickly responded and said, “I’m black. Black isn’t a bad word.”
The video has since gone viral and a spokesperson for CVS has issued an apology. “We sincerely apologize to Ms. Hudson for her experience in one of our stores. Our Region Director in Chicago contacted Ms. Hudson as soon as we were made aware of this incident. CVS has begun an investigation and we will take any corrective action that is warranted to prevent it from happening again.”
The statement continued, “CVS Pharmacy does not tolerate any practices that discriminate against any customer and we are committed to maintaining a welcoming and diverse environment in our stores. We have firm non-discrimination policies in place to help ensure that all customers are treated with respect and dignity. Profiling or any other type of discriminatory behavior is strictly prohibited.”
According to the site, Hudson also said in her post that there were three officers that showed up in response to the call.
Hudson also noted on her Facebook that Matson had not been shaking throughout their entire encounter. She said, “He had no tremors when he initially warned me of having called the police. The tremors began when he called the police for what he said was the second time – which is the 911 call I videotaped.”
Check out the clip below:
