Holiday Market Criticized for Allegedly Telling Workers to Remove Black Lives Matter Messages From Uniforms | Eater Detroit

"I followed a backlash over Holiday Market in Royal Oak after screenshots circulated alleging the market told two employees to remove Black Lives Matter messaging and could be fired for wearing it. Management’s co-owner Tom Violante Jr. posted a statement (since deleted) acknowledging two incidents—one employee pinned a sign reading “I can’t breathe” to the back of his coat and was initially told about the uniform policy but then allowed to wear it pending further conversation; another put a piece of tape on his hat with “Black Lives Matter,” and the HR manager enforced the no-personal-statements uniform policy and discussed potential consequences—Violante denied that anyone was fired. His deleted statement defended the uniform rule as a way to avoid deciding “which message is good or bad,” described the store as an apolitical “cultural miracle” where people become “pure human,” and highlighted the market’s 66-year history and community service; after public outcry he later revised the post on June 8, apologized, affirmed support for Black Lives Matter, committed to mass-produce BLM and Enough is Enough pins for staff who want them, and pledged a $2,500 donation to the Equal Justice Initiative. Eater reached out for comment and initially did not receive a response, and calls to boycott the market circulated online." - Brenna Houck