Global News – Trump slogan hat leads to firing of Vancouver restaurant manager

A restaurant manager at Vancouver’s Stanley Park Teahouse has been fired for refusing service to a customer wearing a “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) hat.

The red baseball caps formed an important part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign, and have become iconic symbols of his supporters.

But the hats have also sparked controversy among many who call them symbols of racism, bigotry and anti-gay hatred.

Fired manager Darin Hodge said the issue erupted when he asked a customer to take off their MAGA hat. In an emailed statement, he said he would do it again.

A Vancouver employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP told Kristen Robinson at Global News that this is an interesting case due to the factors at play.