Carmine’s has released surveillance of the wild attack on its staffers — denying it was sparked by racism as a mob of Black Lives Matter protesters descended on the famed New York eatery.
Owner Jeffrey Bank said he released the lengthy clips to prove that its hostesses were attacked “without provocation” after denying three men entry because they could not show proof of vaccination.
The videos show six of the party arriving and being allowed inside — then each coming out after their three friends were not allowed in as staff complied by New York coronavirus laws, Banks said.
One of the Texas tourists then comes out and gets right up to the back of the neck of one of the hostesses, who tries walking away before the wild brawl erupts.
Banks insisted there was no proof of any racial slurs being used, noting that no such claims were reported to police — while also stressing that the attacked staff were black, Latina and Asian American.
“This attack was entirely unprovoked,” Banks insisted as he released the clips.
“At no point did the women mention that any of the hosts ever made a racial slur. Nor did the women say that to the police officers who arrested them. Nor did anyone hear any such slur.
“This is because none of our hosts – all of whom are people of color – ever uttered such a slur,” he insisted.
“My team members work too hard to serve our guests, work too hard to comply with New York’s vaccination requirements, and still suffer too much from the attack for me to allow these false statements to stand,” he said.
The alleged attackers — Sally Rechelle Lewis, 49, of Houston, and Kaeita Nkeenge Rankin, 44, and Tyonnie Keshay Rankin, 21, both of Humble, Texas — were charged with assault and criminal mischief and released without bail, cops said.
However, a large protest hit the Upper West Side restaurant late Monday, with the masses shouting “f–k you, Carmine’s,” “Carmine’s are racist” and “Cancel Carmine’s,” video footage shows.
