Aaron Ibn Pitts vs. Epicurus
65 year- old Detroit artist/activist Aaron Ibn Pori Pitts was allegedly assaulted by an employee of Epicurus restaurant, 111 West Warren in Detroit on Feb. 28 for attempting to use the restroom.
According to Ibn, when he asked to use the facilities he was told to leave. Then he was told the bathroom was broken. When someone exited the restaurant - demonstrating that it was in service after all - Pitts rushed in and locked the door.
In a statement Ibn says the employee jerked open the door. “He started hitting and kicking me, then grabbing me around my shoulders and dragged me out of the washroom into the restaurant area, calling me foul names and slinging me towards the door.”
To see a video of Pitts telling his story on YouTube click HERE: “Listen to Ibn”.
Detroit’s activist community has mobilized in large numbers to support the artist. Daily protests are being staged in front of the restaurant. Pitts simply wants an apology. So far the restaurant’s owners have been unmoved.
A woman from the restaurant who identified herself only as “Linda” told The Metro Times, “We asked him to leave… then he hit my son. My son tried to defend himself. That’s all that happened.”
The incident will certainly escalate with the arrest and release of Pitts supporter, educator Malik Yakini on March 27. Yakini was arrested after the protest on March 27 apparently for crossing a boundary set by police to contain the demonstration. He was held for two hours, charges were dropped and he was released.
But Yakini sees this as harassment. “It’s simply an intimidation tactic,” he told The Michigan Citizen.
With this attack on two of Detroit’s most respected citizens, look for protests to grow in the coming weeks.
