Submitted by Gene Howington, Guest Blogger
In Atlanta, Georgia, Tiffany Denise Allen is charged with simple battery, simple assault and disorderly conduct. While these charges may not be unusual in themselves, the circumstances surrounding them are. Allen was a manger of a local McDonald’s restaurant. She was off duty but on the premises when Jennifer Schwenker entered the McDonald’s in suburban Marietta with her autistic twins and service dog on July 12. Apparently upset that Mrs. Schwenker brought her service dog into the restaurant, surveillance tapes show Allen proceeded to follow her around the store and out into the parking lot where Allen punched the woman in the face. The recordings show other McDonald’s employees trying to restrain Allen. The operators of the local franchise, J.M. and Jan Owens, are cooperating with police. They told the Associated Press that “At our McDonald’s restaurant, we respect and value our customers. Their safety and well-being is always a top priority [. . .] We strive to comply with all applicable laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is our policy to make our restaurants accessible to all customers, including those with disabilities and special needs, whether or not they need the assistance of service animals.” McDonald’s says Allen is no longer in their employ. Clearly McDonald’s and the Owens’ have done the right thing in response so far, but the scenario does raise some questions.
Continue reading “Would You Like Battery With That?” →
We have previously discussed the events at Widener Law School regarding Professor Lawrence Connell and Dean Linda Ammons, here, here, and here. The university formed a committee to hear the allegations of racial harassment, sexual discrimination, and retaliation. The committee, in its report, found no clear and convincing evidence of a university code violation on the racial harassment or sexual discrimination allegations.
