Canberra, Dec 16 (IANS) Fast-food giant McDonald’s has fired one of its franchise owners in Australia amid outrage over a racist video which showed him berating a neighbour while questioning whether he was a “true” Aboriginal man, a media report said on Monday.
The video was filmed by the neighbour, Aboriginal artist Robby Wirramanda, at his home, and was later shared widely, the BBC said in the report.
The footage does not show what led to the confrontation outside Wirramanda’s house, but captures a heated exchange.
It also shows a woman identified as “Karen” attempting to rip down an Aboriginal flag at the house.
McDonald’s identified the man as one of its licensees, Robert Vigors, who had overseen two restaurants in Victoria state, in the towns of Mildura and Irymple.
The fast-food chain said it had “taken over” operation of the restaurants, describing Vigors’ comments as “unacceptable” – echoing condemnation in the wider community.
“Robert Vigors has left the system and is no longer involved,” McDonald’s said in a statement on Sunday.
The video of the incident went viral, with the hashtag #TooStrongForYouKaren trending as Wirramanda was seen telling the woman, who unsuccessfully tryied to pull down an Aboriginal flag attached to his house, that it was too strong for her.
–IANS
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