Rockford pizza restaurant defends itself against racism claims on social media

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A Rockford pizza restaurant is fighting back after claims circulated on social media that a black employee was fired over alleged racism.

Representatives from Pinos on Main, 2511 N Main Street, took to Facebook on Friday to respond to a claim from a former employee’s mother, whose post created a firestorm on Facebook earlier that morning.

A woman named Shannon Smith alleged that her daughter was fired after less than a week on the job because she was African American.

Smith related her daughter’s story, saying, “She calls me crying saying that this gentleman asked her what her name was and told her she could get her things and leave. When she asked why, what did I do, he told her to get her things and get her black a– out of his building.”

Smith’s post was shared over 4,000 times and received dozens of comments.

Responding to the allegation, Pino’s said , “A new employee on her second day with our company was acting in a loud and unprofessional demeanor while speaking with another employee near the dining room where it could impact our customers’ dining experience. When the manager brought her aside to let her know that a professional demeanor must be maintained in the workplace, the employee raised her voice, cursed at the manager and left the job.

“The employee has purportedly made false statements claiming racist statements were made at her. This allegation is completely false. Pino’s respects people of all nationalities and races. At no time did Pino’s use any disparaging or discriminating statements towards the employee. We have built a great brand and reputation in Rockford over our 32 years in business and will pursue legal action against anyone making false slanderous statements about our business.”

Pino’s response was shared nearly 200 times.

According to a survey from the Pew Research Center, 58% of U.S. adults say calling others out on social media is more likely to hold people accountable, while 38% said it is more likely to punish people who don’t deserve it.

One in five Americans polled said their motivation for calling out people and businesses on social media was to help move “toward a better society or educating others on their mistakes so they can do better in the future,” while a third of those polled said they saw it as a “form of unjust punishment” that was “rash or judgmental.”

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