Black Woman Who Was Hair-Dragged Out of D.C. Bar Demands Sincere Apology

A Black woman who was dragged down the steps of a Washington, D.C., bar has retained a lawyer and is demanding a sincere apology from the establishment.

In a shocking video taken Saturday, a security guard is seen dragging Keisha Young, a 22-year-old student at Morgan State University, by the hair down the steps at Nellie’s Sports Bar, a popular LGBTQIA+ bar that was filled with patrons following the city’s Pride parade earlier in the day.

In an interview with WUSA9, Young claims security mistook her for someone else who was involved in an altercation after a patron reportedly brought in a bottle of alcohol from outside.

“[Security was] trying to get some other people out because somebody else brought a bottle in there. Somehow I got mixed up in an altercation because I look like somebody else and I got hit and dragged down the steps,” she said, emphasizing that she did nothing wrong.

With regard to the video, she said it was “a little bit much.”

When asked what she thinks should happen to the bar, she responded, “I want them gone.”

On Monday, Nellie’s released a statement saying they have terminated the independent security hired for Pride weekend.

“Our investigation into the matter is ongoing, and we will cooperate with any law enforcement investigation, however we do not need to wait for the investigation’s conclusion before we take decisive action,” they wrote, adding that they will be closed this week to evaluate the situation.

The sports bar also offered a “heartfelt apology to all who witnessed the horrific events of this past weekend.”

“No matter what behavior occurred prior, nothing warrants mistreating, and disrespecting, one of our guests,” they said.

However, while speaking to TMZ on Tuesday with her lawyer Brandon Burrell, Young dismissed the statement, which did not include her name, and wants the bar owners and upper management to apologize to her directly. (As of this writing, the outlet says the bar has yet to reach out to Young personally.)

Burrell also says his client felt she was singled out because of her race and felt security guards — who Young believes were under strict orders — assumed Young “fit the description” of someone who had broken rules.

The attorney also wants the establishment to reevaluate how they treat customers of color — a discussion that Young is willing to participate in.

Young also told NBC News on Monday that she left the bar with “bruises all over.”

“I’m pretty sure that I had a concussion, the way I was really throwing up. I had a really bad headache and everything was just dizzy. I couldn’t really focus,” she said.

TMZ adds that Young is also mentally shaken up and will soon receive word from medical professionals about her prognosis.