It started with a kiss, but now an alleged incident of discrimination at Chico's Tacos is becoming the El Paso Police Department's problem.
It all began nearly two weeks ago when two guards kicked out group a gay men after two of them kissed. Supporters of those men voiced their concerns this evening in East El Paso, staging several protest at Chico's Tacos where the incident took place.
While some are calling what happened here flat out discrimination, others say it was simply a business executing its right to refuse service. But the now those involved are taking aim at police.
It started when two guards at Chico's Taco kicked a group of men out of the restaurant after two of them reportedly kissed on the lips. The men refused to leave and one of them called police to file a discrimination report.
When the officer arrived he sided with the guards, telling them it was illegal for the men to kiss in public. But the officer was citing a law that was declared unconstitutional several years ago.
One of those men has since filed an official complaint against the police department. Before that complaint was filed El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen released a statement confirming the officer had misstated the law. He went on to say the department does not condone any form of discrimination. Still those involved say the police should be held responsible for how the officer handled the situation.
The owner of Chico's Tacos could not be reached for comment. We also called El Paso police in regards to the complaint filed against them. We have yet to receive a formal response. We were told they are looking into the complaint.