By Jennifer Glickel
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MIDTOWN WEST — A black NYPD officer is suing a Times Square bowling alley after refusing to let him enter because of his footwear, which the cop asserts is an act of racism.
A bouncer prevented 41-year-old officer Aubrey Henry from going into the Lucky Strike bowling alley because he was wearing hiking boots, according to the Daily News.
"I thought it was a joke, I couldn't believe it," Henry told the paper. "We're going bowling! You take your shoes off when you go bowling."
Henry's lawyer, John Nonnenmacher, told the News that the alley did not let the cop in because of the color of his skin and used the "dress code as a pretext to discriminate against black people."
The bowling alley's dress code prohibits guests from wearing "construction boots," but Henry claims to have been wearing Nike ACG high-top sneakers when he and his wife, Karen, visited Lucky Strike on Feb. 27.
Lucky Strike released a statement about its dress code in response to Henry's accusations of discrimination.
"It ensures guests are in appropriate attire for our upscale lounge atmosphere. It is applied in a fair, professional and evenhanded manner," the statement said.
"We have been in touch with Karen and Aubrey and have extended an offer to have them back as our guests."
