LIMA, Ohio (WLIO)- The Lima chapter of the NAACP held a meeting to address what it calls a "humiliating" and "degrading" incident that occurred June 5 at the Taco Bell on Harding Highway.
Michael Downton said he went inside the restaurant to get a drink after going through the drive-through. He and an employee allegedly got into an argument, and the situation escalated. Downton said he was injured after an employee slammed a door on him, shattering the glass and leaving shards in his hand. He also said several employees began calling him racial slurs.
“I just hope they don’t do this to nobody else, and I’m a good guy,” Downton said. “I never went in there to start anything. I was just there to order a pop.”
Lima NAACP President Ronald Fails said that after investigating Downton’s account, the organization felt compelled to take action.
“We are a civil rights organization, and in my opinion, his civil rights were violated,” Fails said. “We had no choice but to address it after investigating and finding out that the facts he had presented to us were correct.”
Fails said the NAACP has contacted the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, and Downton has hired an attorney.
July 3, 2025, Statement from Taco Bell:
"The situation that occurred at this location is unfortunate. The franchise owner of this restaurant location takes customer and team member safety seriously and informs us that appropriate action was taken to address the incident, and that the team members involved are no longer with the franchise organization."
