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U.S.
Embassy Places Santo Domingo Dance Club Off-Limits Because of Racial
Discrimination
Chargé d’affaires, a.i.,
Roland Bullen directed all resident official U.S. Embassy employees to
refrain from patronizing “the Loft,” a popular Santo Domingo
discothèque. He is responding to the actions of Loft management
in selectively denying entry to African-Americans embassy employees on
July 22.
Chargé Bullen noted that the recent selective denial of entry was only
the latest such action by the club. In 2005 his predecessor, Lisa
Kubiske, met with executives of several clubs seeking changes in
admission policies following repeated denials of entry to African
American embassy employees.
“I make this decision with great reluctance,” said Bullen. “It is rare
for an embassy to place a popular entertainment venue off-limits to its
employees. But we condemn such discrimination, which violates Dominican
law and U.S. norms of equal access and non-discrimination towards all.”
Bullen officially advised the Minister of Foreign Affairs of his
decision. Chargé Bullen also placed notice of this action on the
Embassy’s website to advise U.S. citizens visiting the Santo Domingo of
the Loft’s discriminatory actions. |
