I've always loved Trader Joe's, but after today's horrible discriminatory experience by the store manager Fred, I will be avoiding this store. I was harassed by the manager approached by him two separate times asking me about a face mask. I kindly showed him my religious exemption card, he asked to read it and said he wasn't aware of this and needed to do more research. Don't know what country he thinks he's living in, but we live in the United States of America where we have constitutional rights. 1st Amendment right is religious freedom. He walked away while he went to "research," about a minute later he then walks back over to me and claimed that they only allow medical exemptions. I attempted to educate him by telling him that there is no law that states we must wear a mask and this ignorant satanic worshipping tyrannical nut then proceeds to tell me that it's still enforceable. Seriously? For all the ignorant fools out there, ONLY LAWS CAN BE ENFORCED! He kept harassing me so I told him I will pay for my groceries and leave. He then asked me to step outside while he rings up my items. I attempted to educate him by having him read a legal notice with Florida laws and he wanted to remain ignorant and refused to read it. So he has me wait outside because "he can't have me around anyone" although everyone is "protected by their mask." Here's the kicker, he then tells me my total and waits for me to walk back in to pay. So let me get this straight! I have to stand outside of the doors while you ring my items up, but I can walk back in, stand in the same spot I would have been while you ring up my items, and pay. Yeah that makes a lot of sense.
To the store manager, Fred. Please educate yourself on Florida laws and read the United States of America Constitution as well as the Bill of Rights! If you aren't happy living in a free country, feel free to move to China or any other socialist country. Just FYI
1. You aren't a doctor and recommending someone wear a mask (a medical device) is practicing medicine
without a license a violation of Florida Statute 456.065.
2. You aren't a law enforcement officer. Impersonating a law enforcement officer, by enforcing local ordinances, is a crime in this state under Florida Statue 843.08. It's a felony and you can be charged with 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
3. U.S. Federal Civil Rights Law, Title II requires free and equal access to all services and faciliIes WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION. Therefore it is against the law to prohibit someone from entering your store, which is a public place, under Florida Statute 760.08
Just 3 out of the many laws you violated. Please do yourself a favor and educate yourself. Ignorance is a choice.
Let's give an example shall we.
Let's say that you Mr. Fred go to the hospital for treatment of some sort. And the doctor says to you in order for you to get treatment, you need to undergo a risky surgery that can possibly cause death. Now you as a free thinking American citizen with religious and personal freedoms decide that you don't want to undergo an invasive procedure and you tell the doctor, you are declining. The doctor then tells you well I'm sorry sir, I'm not going to treat you because our hospital policy requires that you get this surgery done. And you tell the doctor that you have a right to refuse medical procedures and you are declining. Then the ignorant doctor tells you "well it's still enforceable and you have to do it because it's our policy." What would you do Mr. Fred?
So Fred. Stop being a tyrant. Let people shop in peace without harassing them. That simple. read more