Today's discrimination episode,
Every day for the past 24 years that I work in this area, I always get a cup of coffee and sit at 390 Park Avenue (where the Lever House building is located). Outside they have marble sitting. There is also a sign that talks about the building and that it is open to the public. Millions of people come buy daily, to sit and have their coffee and read the paper in the morning, at lunch time there are people sitting there having their lunch.
Today like always I sat there with a friend to have our morning coffee and once again they thought we were homeless and decided to call the cops to have us leave (but their security never approached us prior to bringing the cops over). Keep in mind there were other people there having their coffee or talking on their phones, and we were there for less than five minutes when the cops came over to us (no one else). When we told the cops we were not homeless an showed them our work ID, they said, so why are they asking us to tell you both to leave. I responded, it is probably because I know some homeless people that when I sit here and they see me, they come to say hello and accompany me until I finish my coffee and go to my office. They are absolutely harmless and do not smell, they look absolutely normal and do not have excessive baggage only a back pack. I also pointed out to the officer that there are other people sitting there and they do not ask them to move. The officer laughed and told us to finish our coffee and then we can leave. I was extremely offend and decided to leave and avoid further issues. It is so sad to see how they discriminate against harmless people. They should then remove all their marble sittings, and place signs that say private property not open to the public. They should also have everyone removed from their premises at all times not just us. read more