“People are literally saying, ‘Is this a Black-owned salon?’ ” Ms. Cerrington said. “I’ve seen that question probably four times as much since it happened.”
After a video of Asian salon workers and Black female customers fighting came out online, protests and rallies in defense of the Black women were organized. The online video reported that a dispute arose over a $5 eyebrow service for a Black mother and grandmother, who had also had their nails done in the shop. In the video, several Asian women are seen attacking a Black female. Calls came for the New Red Apple Nail Salon, and its sister salon, to shut down. Now, with the protests and rallies slowly subsiding, organizers and community leaders see the growth of Black-owned businesses as a must.
Soon after the video surfaced, a petition aimed at New York Governor Andrew Cuomo appeared on change.org. The petition has over 7,000 signatures, with a goal of 10,000, and demands that Gov. Cuomo shut down New Red Apple Nail Salon to “remove toxic establishments from our community.”
Protestors picketed the salon and got close to the suspected attackers of the women early Aug. 6, with police escorting the workers into a van. Signs were left on the salon’s shutters, one read, “You can’t love black money & culture if you don’t love black people.” “You are hereby evicted by the community!!” said another sign.
According to New York news sources, Huiyue Zheng, one of the salon workers, faces charges of assault, menacing and criminal possession of a weapon. Christina Thomas, who was struck with a broomstick, also faces assault charges. The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office is continuing to examine more evidence and could alter the charges.
“My immediate response is not to go to that salon, and even better, let’s make our own and stop supporting those who don’t support us,” said Nayaba Arinde, editor of the New York Amsterdam News. “We have historically closed down places that have disrespected us and I think this is one of those cases. We can also use this as a teachable moment to focus on Black businesses.”