Restaurant Employee Quits After Manager Nicknamed Blackened Chicken ‘I Can’t Breathe’

Author Andrea Swindall - Pop Culture Writer

June 24th, 2020 12:29 PM

A Miami restaurant is under fire after an employee made an insensitive joke related to George Floyd. According to Brandon Gonzalez, a bar-back at Hole in the Wall Pub, the manager nicknamed their blackened chicken wings “I Can’t Breathe” on the ordering machine.

Brandon shared the ticket on Twitter and wrote, “Yesterday I was at work and my boss, hole in the wall co-founder Sam, thought it’d be funny to change the ‘Blackened’ wings to ‘I Can’t Breathe.’ Attention miami locals do not support this disgusting establishment. I quit today. #BlackLivesMatter.” 

Afterward, Brandon told the Miami New Times, “We’ve been talking about this whole movement ever since George Floyd was murdered. You don’t make a joke about the movement when most of your kitchen staff is Black. I felt like ignoring this would be disrespectful to my friends and everyone who is part of the movement.”

The outlet adds that since the incident, the restaurant owner Sam Diedrick has apologized on his now-private social media accounts. He wrote, “I want to apologize for my insensitivity in a lame attempt at humor. My intentions were never to offend or make any employee or customer uncomfortable. I will take this incident and learn from my oafish behavior. I truly am sorry.”

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  NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 04: George Floyd's brother, Terrence, speaks to an estimated 10,000 people as they gather in Brooklyn’s Cadman Plaza Park for a memorial service for George Floyd, the man killed by a Minneapolis police officer on June 04, 2020 in New York City. Floyd’s brother, Mayor Bill de Blasio, local politicians and civic and religious leaders also attended the event before marching over the Brooklyn Bridge.

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  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: The remains of George Floyd are carried from Trask Worship Center at North Central University following a memorial service on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting.

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  MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 04: U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) greets Rev. Jesse Jackson before a memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A number of politicians and celebrities attended the service in Minneapolis as more are scheduled to be held in North Carolina and Texas.
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  MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 04: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey kneels at the casket of George Floyd before a memorial service at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A number of politicians and celebrities attended the service in Minneapolis as more are scheduled to be held in North Carolina and Texas.

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  MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 04: Rev. Jesse Jackson pays respects at the casket of George Floyd before a memorial service at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A number of politicians and celebrities attended the service in Minneapolis as more are scheduled to be held in North Carolina and Texas.

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  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: The Rev. Al Sharpton arrives with family members of George Floyd at Floyd's memorial service at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting.
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  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: The Rev. Al Sharpton arrives with family members of George Floyd at Floyd's memorial service at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: The Rev. Al Sharpton arrives with family members of George Floyd at Floyd's memorial service at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: Family members of George Floyd arrive for his memorial service at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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  MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 04: Shareeduh Tate, cousin of George Floyd, and Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd, embrace each other during a memorial service at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Memorial services will also be held in North Carolina and Texas.

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  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: Rapper Master P attends the memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: People gather outside of the memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting.
• GALLERY: George Floyd Memorial Service Photos

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  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: People gather outside of the memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting.

• GALLERY: George Floyd Memorial Service Photos

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  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: People gather outside of the memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting.

• GALLERY: George Floyd Memorial Service Photos

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  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: The remains of George Floyd arrive at North Central University for a memorial service on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting.
• GALLERY: George Floyd Memorial Service Photos

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  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: People gather outside of the memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting.

• GALLERY: George Floyd Memorial Service Photos

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  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: People gather outside of the memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting.

• GALLERY: George Floyd Memorial Service Photos

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  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: The remains of George Floyd arrive at North Central University for a memorial service on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting.
• GALLERY: George Floyd Memorial Service Photos

  Share

  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: The remains of George Floyd arrive at North Central University for a memorial service on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting.

• GALLERY: George Floyd Memorial Service Photos

  Share

  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: The remains of George Floyd arrive at North Central University for a memorial service on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting.

• GALLERY: George Floyd Memorial Service Photos

  Share

  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: The remains of George Floyd arrive at North Central University for a memorial service on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting.
• GALLERY: George Floyd Memorial Service Photos

  Share

  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: People gather outside of the memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting.

• GALLERY: George Floyd Memorial Service Photos

  Share

  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: People gather outside of the memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting.

• GALLERY: George Floyd Memorial Service Photos

  Share

  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: People gather outside of the memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting.
• GALLERY: George Floyd Memorial Service Photos

  Share

  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: The remains of George Floyd arrive at North Central University for a memorial service on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting.

• GALLERY: George Floyd Memorial Service Photos

  Share

  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: People gather outside of the memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting.

• GALLERY: George Floyd Memorial Service Photos

  Share

  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 04: People gather outside of the memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University on June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. His death has sparked nationwide protests and rioting.

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Author Andrea Swindall - Pop Culture Writer

Category:

• Human Interest
• Sunny 106.3

Tags:

George Floyd,I can't breathe