In August 2021, Aireal Bonner accused a Birmingham restaurant, Southern Kitchen & Bar, of mistreating her and kicking her out due to her attire.

She was told to leave after refusing to cover her crocheted top, which the restaurant claimed violated its dress code as a “bikini top.” Bonner, however, suspected her clothing wasn’t the real issue, instead believing her Afro-centric appearance, including her natural hair and style, was the cause.

The restaurant defended its dress code but apologized for addressing the issue after Bonner had already sat down, stating they would improve their protocols.

Bonner rejected the apology and encouraged negative reviews, leading to the restaurant’s Yelp page being taken down. Alabama Rally Against Injustice organized a protest, citing similar outfits worn by other women in the restaurant’s social media posts.

While private businesses can set their own rules, the protest group argued that discrimination should not be tolerated.