A coffee shop owner in Washington DC has come under fire after a video went viral showing him unleashing a racist tirade against a Spanish-speaking Uber Eats delivery driver. The incident, captured on TikTok by the driver, Gregorio Amundarain, shows the owner of Canna Coffee, Greg Harris, berating Amundarain for not knowing English and making money in America.
In the video, Harris can be seen shouting in Amundarain’s face, demanding that he learn English and mocking his language skills. He even grabs the driver’s second phone, used for deliveries, and continues his racially charged remarks. Despite Amundarain’s attempts to explain that he doesn’t speak English well, Harris persists in his aggressive behavior and even resorts to mocking the driver in gibberish.
The confrontation escalates further as Harris repeatedly tells Amundarain that America is not his country and that he should learn English. The video, which has garnered nearly 20 million views, has sparked outrage against the DC coffee shop.
Amundarain, who moved to the US from Venezuela to provide a better life for his family, stated that the encounter with Harris escalated quickly, prompting him to record the incident for his safety. Following the incident, Amundarain filed a report with the DC police, who are investigating it as a potential hate crime and simple assault.
In response to the incident, Uber has banned Canna Coffee from its platform and expressed disgust at the behavior displayed in the video. The company stated that hate has no place on its platform and is working to ensure the well-being of the affected driver.
Additionally, DC Health officials revealed that Canna Coffee was illegally operating when the incident occurred, leading to a summary suspension and closure of the shop. Violations found during an inspection on Sept. 11 prompted the immediate shutdown of the establishment on Sept. 18 until further notice.
Furthermore, the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection has been investigating Canna Coffee for months, filing two notices of infraction against the business. Despite the backlash, Harris and his lawyer are planning to hold a news conference to address the situation.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to ensure that such discriminatory behavior is not tolerated in the community. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of promoting inclusivity and respect for all individuals, regardless of their background or language skills.
