By P.C. Staff
The Florin Manzanar Pilgrimage Committee, which consists of the Florin JACL and Council on American Islamic Relations — Sacramento Valley, is embroiled in a dispute with the Back Alley Bowling, Bar and Grill in Bishop, Calif., over mistreatment and denied access stemming from an April 25 visit to the establishment.
As part of the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage, a group of 15 Asian American and Muslim American young adults, in addition to older members and senior citizens, were denied service at Back Alley Bowl on three occasions on April 25.
Bowling alley employees told the group the establishment had a down computer system, though it remained fully open for business.
“The Florin JACL would like an apology from Back Alley Bowling for denying us service, a public commitment by the bowling alley to anti-discrimination policies and a public welcome of diverse people,” said Brandon Miyasaki, a youth leader of the Florin JACL who also helped coordinate the Florin Manzanar Pilgrimage bowling event. “We patiently waited for Back Alley Bowling to acknowledge these requests only to have them claim it was all a ‘misunderstanding’ and ‘they sincerely regret any misperceptions.’ After our investigation of first-hand accounts and a trail of negative reviews claiming discrimination, I think it’s fair to say that the Florin JACL alongside our supporters now have an even clearer understanding about how Back Alley Bowling operates, and that is the reason we still seek justice.”
Back Alley representatives failed to show at an agreed upon meeting on June 9 with committee members and instead issued a response from their lawyer. The Florin Manzanar Pilgrimage Committee is currently examining all options in order to ensure justice is served.
Updates available online.
