Page 25 - CLT112320

NEWS NOVEMBER 23, 2020 ¦ 25

World of Beer Bar and Kitchen in West Hartford. Photo: Google maps

menu called “Yellow Belly” and asked to see it. Not speak out about racial issues or racial bias,” Reilly
knowing anything about the beer’s backstory, Thaller said.
came back and showed the individuals the beer. Reilly continued: “If there was no George Floyd, this
The beer, which a Black man founded in Europe lady might have complained into the echo chamber.
in 2014, is covered in a white wrap with two black But because people are more attuned to these types of
spots, designed to resemble the white hood of the things, her complaint was heard by more people and
Ku Klux Klan. The impetus for making the anti- was a bigger issue than it would have been.”
racist beer was to call racists “yellow bellies” and The establishment stopped selling the beer soon
cowards. after the incident, Reilly said.
But that distinction wasn’t clear to the wife of the Reilly said his client is suing under Connecticut
Black patron who, after learning about the episode, General Statute 31-51Q.
called the establishment and made a widely circu- “That statute prohibits employers from penalizing
lated post about it on Facebook. employees when they speak on matters of political
Before he was fired, Thaller, who had worked for concern or involving some important public issue,”
the establishment for two years, had urged his em- Reilly said, referring to his client asking for educa-
ployer to conduct staffwide education or training tion and training about the beer.
about the beer. Thaller was fired seven days after the Thaller, Reilly said, “found himself thrust into an
incident. issue that was bigger than himself, and has now suf-
Reilly, of Cicchiello & Cicchiello in Hartford, said fered the consequences.”
his client was fired in part because of the woman’s As of late Friday morning, the establishment had
complaints and in part because he inquired to man- not named counsel to represent it in the lawsuit.
agement about having training and education about Matthew Sousa, general manager of the eatery,
the beer. declined to comment on the matter Friday.
The upheaval in the country at the time played a ¦

role in the firing, Reilly believes. Robert Storace covers legal trends, lawsuits and
“This probably wouldn’t have happened if there analysis for the Connecticut Law Tribune. Follow
was no George Floyd. The media and the public at him on Twitter @RobertSCTLaw or reach him at
large are more willing to be receptive when people 203-437-5950.

CONNECTICUT
Law Tribune