The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on Bunny’s Buckets & Bubbles restaurant in Fells Point, Maryland, to publicly apologize and immediately reinstate at least six employees who were reportedly fired after joining a protest against the restaurant’s suppression of Palestinian cultural expression.
SEE: Fells Point restaurant Bunny’s fires at least 6 employees after pro-Palestine protest
The employees were reportedly terminated after participating in a demonstration outside the restaurant in response to management’s disciplining of a worker who wore a small Palestinian flag pin. Management claimed the pin was “divisive” and later fired multiple workers who joined in the protest.
“This mass firing is a blatant act of retaliation and an attempt to silence employees who chose to peacefully express solidarity with Palestinian human rights,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “This freedom of expression should not be controversial. Targeting workers for wearing a Palestinian flag pin sends a clear message of exclusion that should be unequivocally rejected in our city.”
CAIR noted that establishments have a responsibility to welcome employees and patrons from diverse backgrounds, and that attempts to prohibit cultural expression are discriminatory and harmful.
The civil rights group is calling on Bunny’s management to apologize, reinstate the unjustly-fired workers, and adopt inclusive policies that allow employees to express their heritage, identity and solidarity with causes in a respectful manner.
The controversy has sparked widespread backlash including on social media, with many customers pledging never to return to Bunny’s. The restaurant has since reportedly closed its doors temporarily, is not answering its phone and has turned off comments on its Instagram account.
CAIR is calling on community members to stand in solidarity with the fired employees and to advocate for workplaces that value inclusivity, dignity, and cultural expression.
Earlier this year, CAIR released its 2025 Civil Rights Report “Unconstitutional Crackdowns,” which reveals that Islamophobia continues to be at an all-time high across the country. CAIR said viewpoint discrimination against those speaking out against genocide and apartheid was a key factor in many cases.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACTs: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062;
CAIR Maryland Outreach Coordinator Kimberly Syuardi, ksyuardi@cair.com, 202-850-9293