Shopping While Black: Is It a Crime?

Macy's and Barneys no shows at city council retail hearing.

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Shopping While Black - In recent news, a series of lawsuits have been filed against big-name department stores Barneys and Macy’s on allegations that they discriminated against African-American customers. A Gallup poll revealed 71 percent of Blacks surveyed were dissatisfied with shopping experiences. BET.com takes a look at everyday people and celebrities who have been targets while shopping Black. – Natelege Whaley

Actor Rob Brown Sues Macys for Wrongful Arrest - Inspired by Trayon Christian, actor Rob Brown and star of HBO’s Treme, stepped forth and filed a $5 million lawsuit against Macy’s after he said he was arrested while shopping at the flagship location in New York City in June 2013. He was led to holding cells by plainclothes officers who accused him of credit card fraud. He was released 45 minutes after being detained. Brown settled the case on July 17.  (Photo: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

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Actor Rob Brown Sues Macys for Wrongful Arrest - Inspired by Trayon Christian, actor Rob Brown and star of HBO’s Treme, stepped forth and filed a $5 million lawsuit against Macy’s after he said he was arrested while shopping at the flagship location in New York City in June 2013. He was led to holding cells by plainclothes officers who accused him of credit card fraud. He was released 45 minutes after being detained. Brown settled the case on July 17. (Photo: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

Macy's at Herald Square - "This is the iconic Macy's, whose window displays at Christmastime are big tourist attractions. But it also includes over seven floors of fashion, and if you ever get tired, there are Starbucks located inside the building! Can't beat that!"

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Macy’s and Barneys No Show at City Council Hearing - Neither Barneys nor Macy’s sent representatives to a New York City Council meeting Wednesday that aimed to tackle the issue of racial profiling allegations against the retailers. Both companies have denied any wrongdoing and have blamed to the NYPD. In light of recent incidents, the city has given 17 major retail stores until Friday to submit information on how they handle shoppers who they suspect of stealing. (Photo: Macy's)

Barneys Cancels Party Launching Jay Z Line - Barney's canceled the kick-off event for their collaboration line with Jay Z, who has chosen to move forward with his the company, despite allegations against the store. The event was intended to be a fundraiser for the Shawn Carter Foundation, and it was scratched because of "unforseen circumstances," according to a Barney's spokesperson. (Photos from left: Courtesy Nicholas & Lence Communications, Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

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Barneys Cancels Party Launching Jay Z Line - Barney's canceled the kick-off event for their collaboration line with Jay Z, who has chosen to move forward with his the company, despite allegations against the store. The event was intended to be a fundraiser for the Shawn Carter Foundation, and it was scratched because of "unforseen circumstances," according to a Barney's spokesperson. (Photos from left: Courtesy Nicholas & Lence Communications, Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

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Teen Sues Barneys After Buying $350 Belt - Trayon Christian of Queens, New York, went to Barneys in April and purchased a $350 Salvatore Ferragamo belt with his debit card and ID. He was then stopped by undercover officers who were allegedly called by a Barneys sales clerk. "Christian was told that his identification was false and that he could not afford to make such an expensive purchase," said Michael Palilo, Trayon’s lawyer. (Photo: Trayon A. Christian via Facebook)

Photo By Trayon A. Christian via Facebook

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Another Young Adult Says Barneys Profiled Her - Similarly to Trayon, Kayla Phillips, 21, said she was surrounded by four undercover police officers after purchasing a $2,500 Céline bag from Barneys. She has filed a $5 million notice of claim with the intention to sue the NYPD, who she said was “very rough” in handling her.  (Photo: REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)

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Another Young Adult Says Barneys Profiled Her - Similarly to Trayon, Kayla Phillips, 21, said she was surrounded by four undercover police officers after purchasing a $2,500 Céline bag from Barneys. She has filed a $5 million notice of claim with the intention to sue the NYPD, who she said was “very rough” in handling her.  (Photo: REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)

Sharpton and Barneys CEO Discuss Discrimination Accusations - The search continues for Avonte Oquendo, two men dress up as Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman for Halloween causing outrage, plus more news. ― Natelege Whaley   Rev. Al Sharpton met with the CEO of Barneys on Tuesday to discuss allegations of racial discrimination by two young Blacks who purchased merchandise at the high-end retail chain this year. Trayon Christian, 19, and Kayla Phillips, 21, were both questioned by the police after they purchased expensive items. "We had a very candid and open meeting today to begin a dialogue," Sharpton said.  (Photo: Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic/Getty Images)

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Al Sharpton Meets With Barneys CEO - Rev. Al Sharpton had a very "candid and open meeting" with the CEO of Barneys on Tuesday to discuss the allegations of racial discrimination brought by Christian and Phillips. Barneys has denied in a statement any wrongdoing since the accusations: "...After carefully reviewing the incident of last April, it is clear that no employee of Barneys New York was involved in the pursuit of any action with the individual other than the sale." (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

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Jay Z Brought Into Barneys Controversy - Shortly after the lawsuits, some people said Jay Z should cut ties with Barneys, who he partnered with for a holiday collection. But the rapper said he is waiting for the facts to come out. Also, the proceeds would go to his charity foundation and is not for his profit. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Samsung)

Photo By Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Samsung

Kanye West - The adventurous approach that De La took in 1989 — from both a production and lyrical standpoint — in many ways served as a blueprint for Kanye West's work a decade and a half later. From bucking the time's popular trends to creating contemplative rhymes, Yeezy has carried on their legacy.(Photo: Ronin 47 / Splash News)

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Kanye West Rants About Barneys at Concert - At a recent stop for his Yeezus tour in Las Vegas, Kanye West referenced the recent allegations against Barneys as he performed his song “New Slaves.” "That’s that racial profiling out in front of Barneys and s--t. Talking about, 'Did you steal that?'” He continued, "And it’s that rich n---a racism. That’s come in. Come in. Please buy more, please buy more. I know you just got some money and can’t wait to spend it, n-----.” (Photo by Ronin 47 / Splash News)

Rob Brown Speaks on Lawsuit Against Macy’s and NYPD - Actor Rob Brown of HBO’s Treme has filed a lawsuit against Macy’s Department store and the NYPD for allegations that they racial profiled him while shopping. He made an appearance on CNN’s New Day Thursday to speak about the issue of shop-and-frisk. (Photo: New Day via CNN)

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Rob Brown Speaks on Lawsuit Against Macy’s and NYPD - Actor Rob Brown of HBO’s Treme has filed a lawsuit against Macy’s Department store and the NYPD for allegations that they racial profiled him while shopping. He made an appearance on CNN’s New Day Thursday to speak about the issue of shop-and-frisk. (Photo: New Day via CNN)

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Art Palmer Targeted Near Macy’s - After Art Palmer, 56, of Brooklyn, New York, bought $320 worth of Polo dress shirts from Macy’s in New York City, he said four police officers approached him three blocks from the store and asked to see his receipt and the cards he used to buy the items. Palmer filed a grievance with the Civilian Complain Review Board against the NYPD for his treatment in April. (Photo: Via www.nydailynews.com)

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Art Palmer Targeted Near Macy’s - After Art Palmer, 56, of Brooklyn, New York, bought $320 worth of Polo dress shirts from Macy’s in New York City, he said four police officers approached him three blocks from the store and asked to see his receipt and the cards he used to buy the items. Palmer filed a grievance with the Civilian Complain Review Board against the NYPD for his treatment in April. (Photo: Via www.nydailynews.com)

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Al Sharpton to Meet With Macy's CEO - Rev. Al Sharpton planned to meet with the CEO of Macy's on Monday to discuss their store's alleged racial profiling in security procedures. Macy's has denied involvement in Rob Brown's arrest in a statement. "Macy’s personnel were not involved in Mr. Brown’s detention or questioning. This was an operation of the New York City Police Department." (Photo by Stephen Chernin/Getty Images)

Photo By Stephen Chernin/Getty Images

National Cyber Security Awareness Month - President Obama announced STOP. THINK. CONNECT, a global cyber security awareness campaign to help all digital citizens stay safe and secure online as the national cyber security awareness campaign during his Presidential Proclamation of National Cyber Security Awareness Month in 2010. For info on the latest safety initiatives click here.(Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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Even the President Has Been Profiled - Even the President of the United States has been followed in stores. During a press conference in July, in which President Obama made remarks on the outcome of the Trayvon Martin case, he revealed this experience. “There are very few African-American men in this country who haven't had the experience of being followed when they were shopping in a department store,” he said. “That includes me.” (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Oprah Can’t Afford a $38K Bag? - If anyone could afford to cash out on designer bags, it’s Oprah, the only African-American billionaire. But money doesn’t always buy even the richest African-Americans respect. While shopping in an upscale boutique in Zurich, Switzerland, Oprah said a sales clerk refused to show her a $38,000 Tom Ford bag.  (Photo: Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

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Oprah Can’t Afford a $38K Bag? - If anyone could afford to cash out on designer bags, it’s Oprah, the only African-American billionaire. But money doesn’t always buy even the richest African-Americans respect. While shopping in an upscale boutique in Zurich, Switzerland, Oprah said a sales clerk refused to show her a $38,000 Tom Ford bag.  (Photo: Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

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Forest Whitaker Accused of Stealing From Deli - Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker was accused of shoplifting at a deli in Morningside Heights in February. An employee patted him down as he was walking out of the store. Instead of Whitaker reporting the incident to the police, he asked that the “store change their behavior and treat the public in a fair and just manner,” according to his publicist Jennifer Plante. (Photo by Francois Durand/Getty Images)