Another Shopper Comes Forward Against Barneys

The internet nearly exploded with outrage when we reported of Trayon Christian, a 19-year-old engineering student from Queens, was arrested after saving his money to buy a belt at Barneys New York.

According to the suit, two undercover cops followed him out the store and asked him "how a young black man such as himself could afford to purchase such an expensive belt." After being released from the police department, Christian retained a laywer and is suing Barneys and the NYPD. Barneys responded to the news, and to Christian's lawsuit, with a statement that read in part, "Barneys New York has zero tolerance for any form of discrimination and we stand by our long history in support of all human rights."

Today, the New York Post has testimony from another young black Barneys shopper who experienced a shockingly similar experience after purchasing a $2,500 Céline purse in February. Kayla Phillips of Brooklyn, who is 21, used her debit card to buy the bag. On her walk to the subway, four undercover police officers "attacked" and detained her. Phillips says that the officers were asking her, "What are you doing here in Manhattan? Where'd you get the money to buy that expensive bag?" After showing them her debit card with ID, she was let go. She's now suing the NYPD.

The Brooklyn chapter of Al Sharpton's civil rights group is now seeking a meeting with Barneys' CEO, reports ABC, and may picket the department store if "the alleged pattern of racial profiling does not stop."