In a shocking incident that has sparked widespread outrage, a Cinnabon employee at a bakery in Wisconsin, USA, was swiftly terminated after a video of her subjecting a Somali couple to a torrent of racist abuse went viral on social media. The franchise owner took immediate action, dismissing the worker whose vitriolic comments have drawn condemnation from the company and the public alike.
Details of the Disturbing Confrontation
The altercation unfolded when the Somali couple visited the Cinnabon outlet in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, to purchase food. According to reports from Newsweek, the employee initiated the harassment by mocking the woman's hijab. This prompted the couple to begin recording the interaction, capturing the worker's subsequent hate-filled tirade.
In the now-viral footage, the employee can be heard using the deeply offensive n-word slur, openly admitting to being racist, and continuing with a series of degrading comments directed at the customers. The video quickly spread across platforms, forcing the company to respond.
Cinnabon's Swift Response and Official Statements
On Saturday, Cinnabon issued a firm statement on the social media platform X, confirming the worker's dismissal. "We have seen the disturbing video from the Cinnabon bakery in Ashwaubenon, WI, and we do not condone this behaviour," the company declared. "The former employee was immediately terminated by the franchise owner. Their actions do not reflect our values or the welcoming experience every guest deserves."
A spokesperson later elaborated to Newsweek, emphasising that the bakery was independently owned and operated. The statement reiterated that the individual was "immediately terminated" and that their actions were "completely unacceptable." Cinnabon stressed its commitment to ensuring all guests are treated with "dignity, respect, and kindness."
Broader Context of Anti-Somali Sentiment in the US
This ugly incident did not occur in a vacuum. It erupted against a backdrop of heightened anti-immigrant rhetoric targeting Somali communities in the United States. Former US President Donald Trump and members of his administration have frequently cracked down on Somali immigrants, accusing them of fraud and making inflammatory remarks.
Trump has previously described Somali immigrants as people who "contribute nothing" and infamously labelled them "garbage." Such comments from the highest levels of political leadership have been widely criticised for fostering a hostile environment.
Minnesota is home to one of the largest Somali populations in the US, with approximately 84,000 people in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area. Census data reveals that nearly 58 per cent of Somalis in the state are US-born, and 87 per cent of foreign-born Somalis are naturalised citizens, underscoring their established presence and contribution to American society.
Local leaders, including Minnesota's Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have positioned themselves as pro-Somali and have consistently pushed back against Trump's divisive policies and language. The Cinnabon incident serves as a stark, micro-level example of the kind of prejudice that such rhetoric can embolden, even as community leaders work to promote inclusion and respect.
