Close to 100 protesters picketed in front of Johnny O's, 620 University Ave., and Brothers, 704 University Ave., this past Friday and Saturday, objecting to the dress code of the two taverns. The protesters spoke to bar-goers and passed out flyers containing directions to other taverns with dress codes they felt were acceptable.
The Racist Dress Code Coalition, the group enacting the protest, said the code was put in place about a year ago and it targets a specific culture.
Kate Losey, RDCC spokesperson, said do-rags, athletic jerseys, cut-off T-shirts and sweat pants are some examples of prohibited attire.
\While we were protesting we saw three people wearing jerseys come out of the bar,"" she said. ""And of course they were white.""
Losey added the two taverns the RDCC targeted are trying to keep out a certain culture because there is an underlying racist belief that hip-hop is associated with violence.
Johnny O's and Brothers declined to comment on the issue.
Losey said the past weekend marked the first of many protests and said she hopes more action will change the dress code.
When asked about the success of the protests, Losey was optimistic. ""I think we pretty much shut down their business,"" she said.
