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Black Man Denied Entry To Bus in Martha's Vineyard 'Because You're Black'

A black man alleges that he was denied entry on a bus, which he takes daily, because of his race. Suggested Reading Three Friends Were Headed To A Beyoncรฉ Concert, But One Dies On the Way. Guess What The Other Two Did Next? Our Fave Moments From A$AP Rocky’s Fashion Show During Paris Men’s Fashion…

A black man alleges that he was denied entry on a bus, which he takes daily, because of his race.

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Kevin Brooks, a 35-year-old hairdresser and cameraman/editor was on his way to work from New Bedford, Mass., to the Vineyard and attempted to board a Vineyard Transit Authority bus, but was denied entry, the Vineyard Gazette reports.

Brooks was waiting at the Beach Road stop but the driver, who remains unidentified, didnโ€™t stop for him.

The Vineyard Transit Authority said the bus was full but the driver failed to change the destination sign to โ€œBus at capacity.โ€ When the VTA reviewed the audio/video footage, it showed the driver responding saying the bus was full, and then, when challenged, saying: โ€œWell, itโ€™s because you are black.โ€

Brooks took an Uber and followed the bus to Oak Bluffs and waited for the bus to clear so he could confront the driver.

โ€œI said what was the reason you didnโ€™t stop for me in Edgartown,โ€ said Brooks. โ€œHe said, โ€˜Because youโ€™re black.โ€™โ€

Brooks told the Gazette that the encounter โ€œwas a bit of a shock.โ€

He said heโ€™s been commuting to the Vineyard year-round for three years to work at Macโ€™s Barber Shop and makes house calls and works at weddings.

โ€œIโ€™ve never had an issue,โ€ Brooks said. โ€œI donโ€™t even live here, I still feel like part of the Vineyard. I go to the same bus stop every day.โ€

According to the VTA, the driver has been fired effective immediately.

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