Viral video shows hate group inside Fort Worth Torchy’s Tacos, prompts response from chain
Torchy’s Tacos is facing backlash online after a viral video showed members of a hate group walking around inside one of its restaurants in Fort Worth on Sunday.
TikTok user @dropdeadgorjessx posted several videos to her account regarding the incident, one of which shows several people wearing Nazi swastika armbands and T-shirts referencing the Order of the Black Sun, a small neo-Nazi network primarily based in Florida, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
Jess, the woman who posted the videos, said she and her mom, who are both Jewish, were eating in Torchy’s Tacos’ Fort Worth Midtown location when people wearing the hate symbols came in, according to one of the videos posted to her account. She said that she stared at the people and that she got into a verbal altercation with one of them after he said “white power” as he walked past her table.
“I’m posting this because I want to spread awareness,” Jess said in one of the videos. “This is just to let people know these people are out here, they are."
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Jess discussed the difficulties she faced growing up Jewish in her videos, citing antisemitic remarks people would make to her in her childhood. She said she’s learned to embrace her Jewish identity but that events like the one she experienced Sunday evoke unwanted memories.
She also said the people wearing the hate symbols were allowed to be served but were turned away by the restaurant manager when they returned later in the day.
More: Texas commission's first study on antisemitism reports rise in hatred of Jewish people
Torchy’s Tacos responds to incident, opposes hate in online statement
Torchy’s Tacos’ official Instagram account posted a statement Tuesday explaining the situation and opposing the hate group’s messaging.
“Let us be clear, we do not stand for hate and do not support this group or any hate group,” the statement reads. “In a difficult situation, our team acted to first ensure the safety of the other guests and our team members. When the group tried to come back, they were not allowed.”
The statement continues: “We will continue working closely with local authorities to ensure the safety of our guests and team members. We are taking this matter extremely seriously.”
Torchy’s started in a food truck in Austin and now has more than 90 locations nationwide.
The Statesman has reached out to Jess and to Torchy's and has not received a response.
TikTok users post mixed messages toward videos
Scores of people have posted messages of support under Jess’ videos in the days since the incident.
“I’m so sorry this happened to you and your mom. Thank you for standing up to them and talking to the manager,” wrote one TikTok user.
Several users also blamed Torchy’s Tacos for serving the people, calling on the chain to “do better” in future scenarios.
Other TikTok users criticized Jess’ videos, accusing her of “crying” on TikTok and of filming the people without their consent.
Jess responded to several of those comments with more videos clarifying her position.
“They don’t have a right to privacy when they’re in public which is why I recorded,” she said in a response video posted Tuesday. “The reason the Holocaust got to where it was is because too many people just let that (expletive) slide. I could not let that (expletive) slide.”
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Torchy’s Tacos responds after viral video of hate group in restaurant
