The shocking video, which has gone viral on social media, shows the man, who was identified by police as 40-year-old Daniel Taylor, suddenly snatching Yasmine James\u2019 shirt collar and aggressively pulling her towards him. The reason? She had reportedly told him that restaurant policy was to keep straws behind the counter.<\/p>\n
\nThis Disgusts Me.
A white Male Physically Assaults A
Black Female McDonald\u2019s Employee in
St Petersburg, FL.
He Thought He Could Get Away With It.
He Didn’t Think She’d Fight Back &
He Wanted Her Fired.
He Was WRONG On Everything &
Was Arrested & Charged.pic.twitter.com\/z3Jg5qOHfc<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Wisdom Rocks (@GetWisdomDude) January 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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The attack was evidently the last straw for the stunned employee, however, and she began to fight back, throwing multiple punches at Taylor who refused to let her go, despite amazed onlookers urging him to release his grip. One staff member is seen trying to pull James away from Taylor while another walks around the counter in an effort to restrain him, which prompts him to finally let the young woman go.<\/p>\n
Amazingly, when the altercation ends, Taylor acts like nothing untoward happened and announces: \u201cI want her ass fired, right now.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\nRead more<\/p>\n
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\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\nIt didn\u2019t end there, however. According to witness Kinie Biandudi, who recorded the 54-second video clip, Taylor continued to take out his straw-related rage on other employees, returning moments later to start a fight with the restaurant manager, who then threw him out of the restaurant, locking the door behind him.<\/p>\n
On his way out, Taylor reportedly kicked another black female employee in the stomach. That moment was also caught on camera and seen by several witnesses, according to the police report. Taylor escaped before police arrived, but was later apprehended.<\/p>\n
In a Facebook post<\/a>, Biandudi said it \u201call started because he wanted a straw\u201d<\/em> and he \u201cbegan arguing and belittling\u201d<\/em> the employee after she explained that they were kept behind the counter.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, McDonald\u2019s released a statement, saying \u201cour highest priority is always the safety and well-being\u201d<\/em> of its employees and guests, promising full cooperation in the probe.<\/p>\n
The video has prompted outrage online, with many taking issue with the restaurant manager\u2019s handling of the situation and the fact that the police were not immediately called. The video also appeared to show that the manager initially took the customer\u2019s side, re-checking his order and asking him what he wanted after the attack. Many called for the manager to be fired for not instantly taking steps to protect his staff.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n \nThe manager\u2019s response is symptomatic of why #BlackLivesMatter<\/a> started. The woman was grabbed from over the counter by a violent White male & calling the cops was not the visible default response of her coworkers or her manager. Who was protecting her?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Trisha\u2019s View (@TheTrishaView) January 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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<\/p>\n \nMcDonalds need to fire the manager that didn\u2019t protect his employee<\/p>\n
\u2014 Sam Stone (@gagagirltogo) January 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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<\/p>\n \nI saw that and couldn\u2019t believe it. The customer should be arrested and the manager should be fired immediately.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ronald Woods (@sixdogque) January 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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<\/p>\n \nThis Manager served injustice. Didn’t call the police. Waited on his employees assaulter. He should be fired. She should sue for unsafe working conditions.<\/p>\n
![\"\u00a9](\"https:\/\/cdni.rt.com\/files\/2017.08\/thumbnail\/59a86c78fc7e9346228b4567.jpg\")