Police in Washington D.C. are conducting an investigation following the emergence of a video that appears to depict a delivery driver being verbally abused inside a business establishment by an
unidentified individual for not speaking English. Law enforcement officials have stated they are examining the incident as potentially being motivated by hate or bias.
The video, which was shared on TikTok, captures audio of a man berating the delivery driver within CANNA Coffee, located in Northwest D.C. The driver, identified as Gregario Amundaria, recounted to NBC4 and Telemundo 44 that he felt demeaned and threatened as the man repeatedly shouted “learn English” and used profanity towards him.
Amundaria disclosed that this was his first time collecting an order from the business. He has been employed as a delivery driver for seven months to support his 2-year-old daughter residing in Venezuela. Following the incident, Amundaria expressed fear about continuing his work as a delivery driver, and his family has urged him to return to Venezuela.
When NBC4 attempted to locate and speak with the unidentified man at CANNA, another individual exited the business and questioned their intentions. Subsequently, NBC4 tried to engage with a man believed to be the one featured in the video, but he declined to confirm his identity or involvement in the recorded incident.
The news outlet was invited inside the business but instructed not to record. An agreement for an interview could not be reached. NBC4 made additional efforts to contact the business via phone and text message to obtain a statement but received no response.
As of now, D.C. police have not filed charges against anyone in connection with the incident. In an official statement, the
Metropolitan Police Department said, “The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating this offense as potentially being motivated by hate or bias. The designation can be changed at any point as an investigation proceeds and more information is gathered.”
Uber Eats, the platform through which the delivery was being made, released a statement on their Instagram account Wednesday. The company expressed disgust at the behavior depicted in the video, asserting that hate has no place on their platform. They confirmed that the business in question has been removed from their app and that they are working to check on the well-being of the affected courier.
The incident has sparked discussions about discrimination and the treatment of delivery workers, particularly those who may not be fluent in English. It highlights ongoing issues of xenophobia and language-based discrimination in the service industry.
Local community leaders and advocacy groups have voiced concern over the incident, calling for increased awareness and training to prevent such occurrences in the future. Some have suggested implementing stronger protections for gig economy workers who may be vulnerable to similar forms of harassment.
As the investigation continues, there are calls for a broader conversation about inclusivity and respect in the workplace, especially for those in customer-facing roles. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by immigrant workers and the importance of creating a welcoming environment for all, regardless of language proficiency or national origin.
The case has also reignited debates about the responsibilities of businesses to ensure the safety and fair treatment of both their employees and the contract workers who interact with their
establishments. Some local officials are considering whether additional regulations or guidelines are needed to address such incidents in the future.
As the story continues to develop, many in the D.C. community are watching closely to see how authorities and businesses respond, and what measures might be implemented to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.