Bahamian sues Wal-Mart


By INDERIA SAUNDERS, Guardian Staff Reporter

inderia@nasguard.com

A back-to-school shopping trip in Miami took a shocking twist for a Bahamian man who was arrested and allegedly beaten by police in Wal-Mart. Nathaniel Donaldson, 23, claimed he was singled out simply because the store manager said he looked "suspicious."

Mr Donaldson is now taking legal action against the multi-national company.

He alleges that he was approached by a police officer while shopping in a Wal-Mart store last week and allegedly beaten in front of his girlfriend and her family, who gazed on in horror as he was allegedly manhandled and searched for a weapon.

"I was walking out of the McDonald's (in Wal-Mart) and I was going (to the fruit section) when this police officer approached me and asked me if I needed any help. When I said, 'No sir I don't need any help', that is when he asked me to turn around and put my hands behind my back," Mr Donaldson said.

He claimed he repeatedly asked the officer why he was being arrested and was eventually informed that Wal-Mart staff had called the police because the manager said he looked suspicious.

Mr Donaldson alleged that the situation escalated when he was pushed against a fruit stall and handcuffed, as he shouted to his girlfriend's 11-year old brother, who was standing in the McDonald's, to get the rest of the family.

He admitted feeling scared, as he was allegedly dragged through the store, his hands cuffed behind his back, and outside.

"I was stunned," said Mr Donaldson, who also alleged that he was flung to the ground, scraping his forehead and tearing an earring. "Who would expect that? I thought I did something wrong."

Mr Donaldson said the officer then called for "unnecessary" back up. He alleged that both of the officers grabbed and dragged him against the floor, as his girlfriend and her family stood crying and pleading nearby.

"They (officers) kept asking me where my pistol was," said Mr Donaldson. "I kept telling them to check me, thinking that when they do and don't find anything, they would let me go."

Miami resident, Clement St. Fleur, witnessed this alleged "roughing up" and told The Nassau Guardian that he thought Mr Donaldson would have definitely needed medical treatment after the incident.

"I noticed two huge cops slamming and smacking the guy. His hands were behind his back and he was not fighting back," said Mr. St. Fleur "I thought it was uncalled for."

Although officers only found the $741 in cash Mr Donaldson had to spend in Wal-Mart that night, he was charged with trespassing and resisting arrest.

He spent one night in jail before appearing before a judge, who determined that his time had been served and he was released.

The Nassau Guardian left a message at Wal-Mart's head office yesterday, but no calls were returned. When The Guardian contacted the US Embassy on Friday, officials said they had no comment, as the incident took place in the States.

Mr Donaldson said he still felt lingering numbness in his fingers from the hand ties and last week he saw a neurologist, who he said speculated there may have been permanent tissue damage.

Mr Donaldson and his girlfriend's family said the experience has left a sour taste in their mouths, and they may never shop in Wal-Mart again.

you gotta be friggin jokin....

one more reason for me to hate walmart.

Those Miami police officers too rough and unnecessary. They don't listen.

thats south florida cops on a whole.. but the worst have to be the broward county sherrifs, and the davie police.. a whole set a rednecks

"They *MAY* never shop in Walmart again"??

What is there to think about?? I used to work for Walmart as a manager and I know Walmart extends its reach further than allowable by law. But most towns -- especially small towns -- don't fight it because Walmart is the primary source of jobs.

I remember talking to a few detectives last year and they were saying how much they can't stand Walmart because Walmart takes the law into its own hands and they're usually left trying to clean up the mess.

I have my own personal boycott against Walmart. And most smart people do.

I only went to wal-mart once to get a bottle of fiber choice. I see it has everything in it...and...ummm its big. But I think I'll stay at the malls and department stores.

"They *MAY* never shop in Walmart again"??
What is there to think about?? I used to work for Walmart as a manager and I know Walmart extends its reach further than allowable by law. But most towns -- especially small towns -- don't fight it because Walmart is the primary source of jobs.
I remember talking to a few detectives last year and they were saying how much they can't stand Walmart because Walmart takes the law into its own hands and they're usually left trying to clean up the mess.
I have my own personal boycott against Walmart. And most smart people do.


Why? Whats wrong with walmart paying a little extra attention to someone who "looks suspicious"? Why are you boycotting Walmart?

They didn't pay extra atention -- they called the police.

Several reasons. Mainly due to the fact that they strangle the life out of small towns. There's also the hiring practices to avoid legal hinderances. There's also scheduling practices that are designed to avoid legal hinderances. There's also the fact that Walmart makes billions in profit that goes to one of the wealthiest families on earth -- but 60 percent of their workforce live below the poverty line.

There's a reason why major cities like Chicago, New York, and LA and countries like Germany, Sweden and France -- try to block Walmart from entering certain markets. There's reasons why the OCC rejected their bid for banking authorization -- particularly because of their CRA rating (community reinvestment).

They didn't pay extra atention -- they called the police.
Several reasons. Mainly due to the fact that they strangle the life out of small towns. There's also the hiring practices to avoid legal hinderances. There's also scheduling practices that are designed to avoid legal hinderances. There's also the fact that Walmart makes billions in profit that goes to one of the wealthiest families on earth -- but 60 percent of their workforce live below the poverty line.
There's a reason why major cities like Chicago, New York, and LA and countries like Germany, Sweden and France -- try to block Walmart from entering certain markets. There's reasons why the OCC rejected their bid for banking authorization -- particularly because of their CRA rating (community reinvestment).


Thats what i thought. And all good reasons by the way. I just figured i knew you wouldnt see or refuse to acknowledge that the looking "suspicious part" is code language for looking black. And thats whats really going on here.

they must sue the store, the city of hialiah police department where it happened, the arresting officer brutalizing tourist...man oh man...they done f'd up now! what I would say to Mr. Donaldson is get sound legal representation.

thats south florida cops on a whole.. but the worst have to be the broward county sherrifs, and the davie police.. a whole set a rednecks


That's the truth, one time I got lost in Davie and went into places where I thought I was in the boonies of GA....I got so scared I dare not ask for directions I figured it out maself :walk:

Thats what i thought. And all good reasons by the way. I just figured i knew you wouldnt see or refuse to acknowledge that the looking "suspicious part" is code language for looking black. And thats whats really going on here.

that's what I instantaneously thought, but Im thinking the minute the cop heard the customer speak...he shouldve backed off...he shouldve known and been aware that that man was a tourist...you cant treat people any kind of way...especially attempting to arrest while the man is asking why...walmart, the polic department and the officer will pay where it hurts most...the pockets...


as for davie, the KKK still has an office there...and broward county is filled with angry white people who are still miffed that the dade county cubans "crowded" them "out". the intent isnt to stur up any ire...but this is the reality.

that's what I instantaneously thought, but Im thinking the minute the cop heard the customer speak...he shouldve backed off...he shouldve known and been aware that that man was a tourist...you cant treat people any kind of way...especially attempting to arrest while the man is asking why...walmart, the polic department and the officer will pay where it hurts most...the pockets...
as for davie, the KKK still has an office there...and broward county is filled with angry white people who are still miffed that the dade county cubans ran them out. the intent isnt to stur up any ire...but this is the reality.


Not only that, his family was on the side begging and pleading with the officers, what an odd scene, out of the ordinary, however, they refuse to listen, sometimes, you have to use common sense and your gut feeling if something doesn't seem right stop and use your head!!!! Now they will pay with their pockets!!!

Not only that, his family was on the side begging and pleading with the officers, what an odd scene, out of the ordinary, however, they refuse to listen, sometimes, you have to use common sense and your gut feeling if something doesn't seem right stop and use your head!!!! Now they will pay with their pockets!!!



your both right but to many people (especially in the old south) a N*gg* is a N*gg* is a N*gg*. No amount of money or education going to change that. I bet they was shocked to be getting calls from Newspapers and to Embassies. Thats the muscle and might of this country that many black Americans dont have. I hope his family, our Journalist and our leaders give them hell.

Bey that manager mussy does call the police everyday for ppl looking 'suspicious'. When I was in Fla last week all I could see was suspicious 'ghetto' looking fellas all about. Dey mussy dont shop in Wal-Mart doe. :shhh: