.Delegate Talmadge Branch >> Press . . . .. ... ... .

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........ ....Attorney General Bob Butterworth News Release

February 28, 2001

Perry Liquor Store Owners, Bartender Charged With Civil Rights Violations, Unfair Trade Practices

TALLAHASSEE -- Attorney General Bob Butterworth today charged the owners and an employee of a north Florida liquor store and lounge with civil rights violations and unfair trade practices.

A civil complaint was filed in Taylor County Circuit Court against David and Diane Holton, owners of Perry Package Store & Lounge in Perry, and bartender Patricia Grace Hughes. The complaint seeks monetary damages for victims and penalties of up to $10,000 per violation of the Florida Civil Rights Act and up to $10,000 per violation of the state's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

Butterworth's charges stem from an investigation of an incident in which Maryland resident Talmadge Branch was denied equal treatment when he stopped at Perry Package Store & Lounge while passing through Perry last February 3.

According to the complaint, Hughes told Branch she could not serve him in the lounge and instructed him to go outside and come through a secondary entrance so he could be served in a back room. When asked why, the complaint said, the bartender replied that those were "the rules," and Branch overheard the bartender or a patron state that "coloreds" are served in the back.

"There is no question Mr. Branch's civil rights were violated, not to mention his dignity," Butterworth said. "At the same time, his rights as a consumer were violated because he was denied the treatment and amenities other patrons received or could expect to receive at the establishment."

Butterworth said in his complaint that the Branch incident revealed "a longstanding pattern and practice of segregating people on the basis of race and subjecting African-American consumers to inferior treatment and conditions" by requiring them to use an entrance other than the front door and be served in a back room.

"As we celebrate Black History Month, we would like to focus on how far we have come in achieving equal treatment of all Americans. Incidents such as this make us realize how much further we still have to go," Butterworth said.

Although his investigation centered on the treatment of Talmadge Branch, Butterworth said the fact that Branch was the victim of longstanding policy indicates others have received similar treatment. Such individuals should notify his office, Butterworth said, and he further urged individuals who believe they were victims of discriminatory treatment from other businesses in Florida to report such incidents to him.

The complaint was prepared by Office of Civil Rights Director Allison Bethel and Assistant Attorney General Kathleen Burgener.

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