Mark Curry, a comedian and star of the ABC 90s sitcom “Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper,” said he was the target of racial profiling at a Colorado Springs hotel last weekend.
The 61-year-old made the accusations over Instagram, where he posted a 26-minute video on Dec. 9 documenting the encounter. In the video, an employee with The Mining Exchange was standing over Curry, a Black man, questioning if Curry was a guest.
“Look at their stance. I feel threatened,” Curry said in the video. “If you’re Black and you’re in Colorado Springs, you can’t be in the lobby.”
Curry was the only Black man in the lobby, which doubles as a bar. In the video, the employee who confronted Curry said the other people in the lobby were allowed to be there because they were buying drinks and thus considered patrons of the hotel. Curry said he had just checked in prior to recording the video.
In a statement to The Denver Post, the general manager of The Mining Exchange said the hotel has apologized to Curry.
Curry was booked to perform at 3E Comedy Club later that night. In an emailed statement, 3E's owner Eric Phillips said he was disappointed to learn about Curry's stay.
"For years, we’ve entrusted this Wyndham property with accommodations for our talent and special guests and were shocked to see footage of Mark being harassed – making him feel unwelcome and unsafe," the statement read.
"Mark’s experience at the property does not align with our values of inclusivity, community and comedy. Particularly at a time when our community is still grieving and healing from the very fresh wounds of the Club Q shooting, there is no room for this type of behavior in our city. We need love, laughter and healing," the statement went on.
