Around noon on Tuesday, March 19, State Representative Rodney R. Hubbard*, his brother Rontonyo Hubbard-Bey, and local businessman Sam Salama went to have lunch at Johnny’s Restaurant and Bar, 1017 Russell, in Soulard.

Shortly after their arrival, they became the victims of racially-charged threats by two male patrons who told them that they were in a “white bar” and unwelcome. Mr. Salama went to management twice to inform them of the actions of the two visibly intoxicated men.

Before the situation escalated any further, Rep. Hubbard, his brother, and Mr. Salama left and called the police from outside. When the police arrived, they issued a summons to the intoxicated men for disturbance of the peace. No one in Rep. Hubbard’s party was ticketed, arrested, or detained in any way.

“It is ironic that just one day after Senator Barack Obama reminded the nation that its racial wounds have not yet healed, that I am personally reminded that our city’s racial divide is still very much alive,” said Rep. Hubbard.

“I know that the actions of these two men are not indicative of the vast majority of people, but if an elected official like myself, a businessman like Mr. Salama, or a man like my brother experience this kind of blatant discrimination in 2008, it is clear we still have a lot of work to do.”

*Hubbard is a client of A D French & Associates