(SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ, 8/4/2022) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today said Chuck E. Cheese’s response to an incident of alleged racism at its Wayne, N.J., location is “unacceptable.”
Natyana Muhammad of Essex County posted a video on Twitter that shows the Chuck E. Cheese mascot high-fiving several children while ignoring her two-year old daughter, Safa, as she repeatedly rallied for the attention of the mascot and reached out for a high five.
“As you can see, he gives all of the (white) kids hi-5s & PURPOSELY ignored my black baby,” Muhammad wrote in her tweet. “When confronted, he ignored me as well. The manager, Angie Valasquez, made excuses for him.”
According to Muhammad, the onsite manager said, “I’m sorry you feel that way.”
SEE: Mom speaks out after she says Chuck E. Cheese costumed employee in New Jersey ignored daughter
In a statement shared with WABC, Chuck E. Cheese said that they are “saddened when any family or child has a less than perfect experience.” They also added that their goal is to “create an inclusive experience for children and parents of all ages, races, ethnicities, religious backgrounds, and learning differences.” The franchise did not apologize.
In April, another Twitter user had posted a video from one of the franchise’s locations showing the Chuck E. Cheese mascot extending hugs to other children but deliberately ignoring a Black girl.
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“It’s really disheartening to see a toddler apparently being discriminated against in this manner. What should’ve been an enjoyable day clearly turned into something else.
“The mascot’s reported behavior is unacceptable, and so is Chuck E. Cheese’s response. ‘I’m sorry you feel that way’ is not an acknowledgement of what happened nor is it an apology. We call on the Chuck E. Cheese franchise to issue a public apology to Natanya and her daughter.”
He said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and white supremacy.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut, 908-267-3119, [email protected]