*FedEx has denied reports that it fired two of their drivers in Georgia after video of them confronting a white customer over an alleged racist incident was posted online.
#BoycottFedEx began trending on Twitter Wednesday after the video, uploaded onto social media by Antonio Braswell, showed the aftermath of an incident that took place in Leesburg. The black FedEx employee is seen challenging a while male who is recording him on his cellphone, telling the customer, “You didn’t have to come out here cussing me like that.” His co-worker is filming the incident from inside the truck.
The stand-off continues for several more seconds before the FedEx driver gets in his vehicle, tells the customer that he’s not waiting for the police to arrive, as he had previously said he would do, and drives away.
Watch below:
Later Wednesday, Braswell reposted the above video with an update, saying that he and his coworker had been fired. “FedEx called and told me to take down this video and fired both of us Today .. I’m reposting this video because people like him doesn’t matter white or any race should never disrespect essential workers putting their lives in jeopardy especially with this covid-19,” he wrote on Twitter.
Antonio further tweeted: “Back story All we did just delivered his package mind you he was in the house it was quick stop as soon we were leaving he ran out his house cursing and threatening us and we just apologized but he kept escalating the situation then kept saying he would whoop out black asses. That’s when we told his wife to get the police on us.. that’s when he kept following us then he pulled out his phone to record us and start playing the victim role we drove off at first but they yelled ‘fuck y’all.’”
He continued: “So we stop the truck and that’s when i started recording the incident.. after the video the police came and we told our side of the story & the man said to the police ‘they look like they would’ve broke into my house while my wife is there’ the white dude was lying the whole time. Mind y’all we go through this all the time he was the first to actually come at us crazy and all we doing is our job we Work 6 days out the week to deliver these packages during this coronavirus going on. I really appreciate the job opportunity i had with FedEx .. no hard feelings but i pray i can get back on my feet because i have a daughter now.”
As the clip went viral, #boycottFedEx became one of the top trending topics on Twitter, with tens of thousands of people demanding that the workers get their jobs back. Also, a GoFundMe page for the men has since gone on to raise more than $50,000.
In a statement, FedEx said it was aware of the incident and has launched an investigation. It said it did not fire the men as they were employed by an independent service provider, which is “no longer providing service” on behalf of FedEx, but has offered jobs to them both. The statement continued,”We’re offering employment while investigating to ensure an appropriate outcome. We take seriously allegations of discrimination, retaliation, or improper employment actions.”
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