Juneteenth Celebrating the End of Slavery ... Learn More About Holiday

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There's been a lot of talk about Juneteenth this year, and though President Trump's claim he made the holiday "very famous" is pure hyperbole ... it's true many people might need a cheat sheet.

The holiday -- which is also called Freedom Day, Liberation Day or Jubilee Day -- is the oldest celebration in America of the end of slavery, commemorating June 19, 1865.

That's the date Union General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas and informed a group of slaves that the Civil War had ended ... and they were free.

Keep in mind, President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation had abolished slavery 2 and a half years earlier, but Texas was the most remote of the slave states and had a low presence of Union soldiers ... so enforcement was slow.

The first Juneteenth celebration went down in Texas the following year, marking the anniversary of the freeing of the last enslaved people in the Confederate South -- and began to spread across the South in the following decades.

Though popularity of the holiday has risen and fallen over the past century, Juneteenth has remained a constant cause for celebration.

Currently, June 19 is marked as a state holiday or observance by 47 states and Washington D.C., and now there's a renewed push to make it a federal holiday.

If you're looking for a deeper dive into Juneteenth, check out these articles:

So You Want to Learn About Juneteenth? (NY Times)

What is Juneteenth? (PBS)

What is Juneteenth? (WSJ)

History of Juneteenth (Juneteenth.com)

Bhad Bhabie Done with Rehab!!! Focused on Music & Biz

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Danielle Bregoli -- AKA Bhad Bhabie -- is returning to her regularly scheduled program in the music biz, 'cause she's out of rehab and ready to get back to work.

Sources close to Bhad Bhabie tell TMZ ... the 17-year-old rapper was released Wednesday after completing a 30-day rehab program. We're told she feels great and is happy to be back out and about. We're told her main focus now is her music.

Danielle took to Instagram Thursday and posted a mirror shot, and she looks great ... like rehab really did her well. She also went live to say a little about her time in treatment -- saying she had a lot going on in her personal life and needed to separate herself from some people.

Bhad Bhabie
I'M BACK!

TMZ broke the story ... Bhabie received treatment for a combination of things ... childhood trauma and abusing prescription pills. As we told you, our sources told us Danielle, and people around her were aware of the severity of the issue ... and decided it was time to get professional help.

XXXTentacion Half Bro Sues XXX's Mom for $11 Mil ... She Jacked MY Cut!!!

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UPDATE

11:36 AM PT -- Bernard's attorney, Michael Simon, tells TMZ, "The lawsuit filed by XXXTENTACION’s half-brother, Corey Pack, against XXXTENTACION’s mother, Cleopatra Bernard, is completely without merit. Contrary to the allegations of the complaint, a court has already determined that Corey Pack is entitled to nothing from XXXTENTACION’s estate or trust.

UPDATE

Cleopatra has not only paid Corey’s living expenses and purchased him a car, but she has gifted to him and his mother, Jodi Kavney, a mortgage free home and paid the current year’s real estate taxes.

UPDATE

We are confident that the courts will conclude, for a second time, that Corey Pack is entitled to nothing from XXXTENTACION’s estate or trust.

XXXTentacion's been gone for 2 years, but there's still fresh family drama brewing -- his half brother's suing XXX's mom, and accusing her of stealing.

Jodi Kavney, the mother of XXX's half brother, Corey Pack, claims XXX's mom, Cleopatra Bernard, concocted a plan to siphon off millions of dollars from her own son's trust -- money the late rapper set aside for Corey ... according to legal docs obtained by TMZ.

Jodi, who's suing on behalf of Corey, says in docs, XXX left behind assets in excess of $50 million ... including a trust that lists Corey as 1 of 3 beneficiaries. She claims the breakdown is supposed to be 50% to Cleopatra, 25% to XXX's brother, Aiden Kerr ... with Corey getting the remaining 25%.

But, in the lawsuit, Jodi claims Cleopatra cut a deal with XXX's baby mama which helped her cut Corey out of his portion of the estate. Jodi's now seeking to recover assets she claims were "improperly and surreptitiously transferred" by Cleopatra to herself.

Jodi's suing for $11 million in damages and may try to triple that amount ... if she can prove this was intentionally done. She also claims Corey's entitled to ownership rights to XXX's record label, Bad Vibe Entities.

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SCENE OF THE SHOOTING

Jodi's attorney, Natasha Shaikh, tells TMZ ... they originally sent a demand letter to Cleopatra seeking the $11M but says that fell on deaf ears ... so they filed the lawsuit to let the court decide. We reached out to Cleopatra for comment ... so far, no word back.

TMZ broke the story ... XXX was gunned down back in June 2018 while shopping for motorcycles at a South Florida dealer. Four suspects were arrested and indicted for the rapper's murder.

Originally Published -- 12:15 AM PT

Todd McFarlane No Regrets On $3 Mil McGwire Ball ... It's Not Like I'm Broke!!!

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Here's how you KNOW you're rich -- when you drop $3 mil on a baseball that later plummets in value, AND YOU JUST DON'T CARE!

Case in point ... Todd McFarlane, who's explaining to TMZ Sports why he's not remotely bothered by the fact his Mark McGwire #70 home run baseball is only worth a fraction of what he paid for it.

Remember, Todd -- one of the most successful comic book artists of all time -- bought the record-breaking ball in '99, right after McGwire and Sammy Sosa wrapped up that famous home run chase.

Demand was high at the time -- but the steroid scandal (and Barry Bonds) caused the value to sink like a stone. Multiple experts say the ball is only worth around $300k to $400k these days ... if that.

So, we hit up Todd ... and wow, HE IS UNFAZED!!!

"If you look at it as buying a baseball, dollar in and dollar out, I'm the stupidest guy on the planet. It's a 3 dollar baseball. I overpaid by a million times that amount right so it doesn't make any sense," McFarlane says casually.

"Even as a collectible and again at this point, I didn't know the cloud of steroids were coming. I thought, in best case scenario, I could use it and then I can sell it and get my money back but I'd get all the value of in maybe being able to sell some sports figures."

"[But] even if I get $0 for it, I've made that money back 5 to 10 times over in the last 15 years."

How???

Long story short ... Todd says owning the baseball has unlocked all sorts of doors in the business world just from people curious to see it ... or just meet him.

Todd says he's been able to make a fortune from those deals -- so at the end of the day he's happy with the purchase.

"I keep saying to people, it was my ante to the poker game with the big boys."

"I bought that ball in 1999, it is now 2020 -- 21 years later you and I are still talking about it. Yesterday ESPN was giving me national attention. Every time we talk about that ball, I get to amortize it even further than I've already done it. So, I don't care if I get $20 for that ball. I'm clean on this deal."

When asked if there was a number that someone would offer to take the ball off his hands, McFarlane had a baller answer for that too!

"I don't know. It would have to be a stupid number that I don't think anybody would give and here is why I say that. Never take money that you don't need, right? So, if my businesses are hurting and somebody came in and gave me a low ball offer and I needed some investment capital or my kids were sick and I needed to pay some medical bills or whatever it was right? Even if I wanna buy a Maserati or something stupid, then I might take it. But as I sit here today, I don't know what I would do with the money regardless. It would have to be a dumb one because I'm better off to hold it."

We also asked Todd if there was a dream collectible he'd love to buy ... and you gotta hear his answer.

Todd McFarlane Stanley Cup
LORD STANLEY!!!

Harriette Winslow in 'Family Matters' 'Memba Her?!

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Georgia born actress Jo Marie Payton gained fame when she landed the role of Harriette Winslow ... the character was first featured as a reoccurring role on "Perfect Strangers" ... but is best known as the mom on the classic '90s ABC family sitcom "Family Matters."

Jo Marie Payton was cast alongside a star-studded cast of actors including Reginald VelJohnson as the police patriarch and husband, Carl Winslow, Kellie Shanygne Williams as the well-liked Laura Winslow, Darius McCrary as the big bro jock, Eddie Winslow ... and of course Jaleel White as the nerdy neighbor Steven Q. Urkel.

Payton's other notable television credits include "Moesha," "Will & Grace," "Small Wonder" and "Silver Spoons."

Guess what she looks like now at 69 years old!

Cincinnati Budget Hearing Protest Erupts Over Police Funds ... Forces Abrupt Ending

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The final public hearing for Cincinnati's 2021 budget turned into total chaos after a resident tried to make a case for directing more funding toward police.
TOUGH CROWD

The final public hearing for Cincinnati's 2021 budget turned into total chaos after a resident tried to make a case for directing more funding toward police.

The wild scene played out Thursday evening at the Duke Energy Center, where a Cincy resident sparked boos from the crowd by getting on the mic and laying out reasons to increase law enforcement's budget.

He was almost immediately drowned out by a chorus of boos, and city council member David Mann announced he was ending the hearing 5 hours early, which only seemed to pour lighter fluid on an already heated situation.

After the abrupt end to the public forum, dozens of folks charged the stage in protest. Council members tried to resume the hearing, but Mann beelined out of the room and, ironically, police were called in to restore order.

Angry folks headed outside, intending to start a march, and they were again greeted by cops on the street. Things still haven't cooled down ... law enforcement's closed off the ballroom to the public and council members are trying to complete the budget hearing.

Black Lives Matter Sign Triggers Man at NYC Coffee Shop ... 'This is Offensive!!!'

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061820_blm_sign_coffee_shop_kal2
CAUSING A SCENE

A man in New York City launched into an epic tirade when he spotted a Black Lives Matter sign at a coffee shop, and his meltdown -- captured on video -- pissed off every other customer.

The guy absolutely berated the barista over the Black Lives Matter sign posted in the front window of Burly Coffee in Brooklyn. The dude also had a major problem with being asked to wear a mask in order to get a cup of Joe.

The standoff went down Thursday morning with the irate customer telling the shop to take down the BLM signage, and the barista firing back he needed to take a hike.

At one point, the man points at the sign and says, "This is the most racist thing out there. I'm not a racist ... this is offensive and I want you to take off this sign."

The poor barista even tried taking the guy to school ... explaining #BLM does not mean all lives don't matter. Then other customers started chiming in, begging the guy to stop causing a disturbance.

The guy refused to leave and argued for more than 10 minutes, before starting to chant "All lives matter." He also claims the pandemic is a hoax, and only sheep wear masks -- aka, the conservative greatest hits.

And, this was all BEFORE he got caffeine!!

Rayshard Brooks Shooting Rolfe Turns Himself In ... Booked for Felony Murder

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UPDATE

3:25 PM PT -- Brosnan just spoke publicly for the first time since being charged. His attorney claims the allegations by the D.A. are exaggerated and misleading, and says Brosnan was actually unaware Brooks was shot initially and was trying to figure out what happened.

UPDATE
UPDATE

Once he did, the lawyer says Brosnan went to get a first aid kit to help Brooks, and by that point, other officers had arrived. Brosnan added that Brooks was friendly and respectful, and he just wanted to try to help him out ... before the incident turned violent.

UPDATE

12:32 PM PT -- Rolfe has now also been booked and charged with felony murder. He also faces charges of aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal damage to property in the first degree and violation of oath by public officer charges.

UPDATE

10:18 AM PT -- Brosnan has already been released from jail ... he was just spotted leaving the facility with his attorney.

UPDATE

One of the cops involved in Rayshard Brooks' shooting has turned himself in and he's been charged with aggravated assault ... TMZ has learned.

In addition to aggravated assault, Devin Brosnan faces 3 acts of violation of oath by a public officer ... according to the Fulton County Sheriff's Office in Atlanta.

Garrett Rolfe the cop who shot Rayshard -- and is charged with felony murder -- has not turned himself yet. The D.A. gave him until Thursday evening to do so.

Rayshard Brooks
NEW SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE

As we reported ... Fulton County D.A. Paul Howard announced 11 charges against Garrett Rolfe, including multiple counts of aggravated assault. Howard claims Rolfe kicked Rayshard while he lay dying.

Howard didn't mince words ... he doesn't believe Rolfe feared for his life and noted Rayshard had been cordial, cooperative and calm for more than 41 minutes before he was fatally shot.

The D.A. also said Rolfe was not motivated by fear but rather "another type of emotion." Howard didn't specifically say which emotion, but did say you can hear Rolfe right after he shot Brooks say, "I got him."

Originally Published -- 9:34 AM PT

Billie Eilish Gets Permanent Restraining Order Against Obsessed Fan

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Billie Eilish is getting long-term court-ordered protection against an obsessed fan she says kept showing up at her home.

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge just made Billie's temporary restraining order a permanent one for the next 3 years. The order, granted Thursday, prevents the man from attempting to contact or coming within 100 yards of the singer or her parents.

We broke the story ... Billie got a temporary restraining order last month after claiming Prenell Rousseau began showing up over and over again at her residence, ditching a face mask and touching the doorknob and doorbell without gloves, making Billie and her fam fear for their lives.

The permanent restraining order also bars Rousseau from assaulting or harassing Billie and her family, or from getting close to her workplaces.

Billie and her legal team at the law firm McPherson LLP were gunning for 5 years of court-ordered protection, but the judge granted it for 3 years. The order can still be extended or amended, if the judge thinks its necessary.

Breonna Taylor Killing KY AG Addresses Case ... We're Working Nonstop, But No Update Yet

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AG Cameron says he continues to be "saddened and heartbroken" over Breonna's death, but as of right now ... there's nothing new to report on her case.

The KY Attorney General avoided getting into specifics of the investigation, other than to explain how and why he got involved and lay out the overall plan ... which he says is to follow the truth and be "thorough and fair" to everyone involved.

Cameron says his team is working around the clock and it's an expedited process, but also pleaded for patience and for the public to remain peaceful during the process. He added ... "violence and lawlessness will do nothing more than perpetuate further tragedy."

The investigation into Breonna Taylor's death -- at the hands of Louisville cops -- should be addressed Thursday by KY Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who's now special prosecutor on the case.

TMZ will be live streaming Cameron's news conference in Frankfort at 3 PM ET. While his office says it will be "informational only" -- meaning charges won't be announced -- Cameron certainly has a lot to address regarding the case ... including allegations of a cover-up.

It's interesting because earlier Thursday ... a courthouse in Louisville was boarded up and staffers were told to leave the building. Word is they were informed no charges were going to be filed against the 3 Louisville Metro Police officers who fired their weapons March 13 while raiding Breonna's home ... and they're anticipating rioting in response.

Our sources say, the AG is not making any such announcement and doesn't know how that rumor started.

As for those 3 cops -- Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankison and Myles Cosgrove -- none of them have lost their jobs or been suspended. All 3 have simply been placed on administrative reassignment for now.

As we've reported ... Breonna -- a 26-year-old ER technician -- was shot 8 times after the officers arrived in plainclothes shortly after midnight to serve a no-knock warrant as part of a narcotics investigation.

Though police claim they announced themselves, Breonna and her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, allegedly didn't hear them, and Walker fired on the officers after they used a battering ram to open the door.

Walker says he thought the cops were intruders, and Breonna was killed in the ensuing gunfire. According to Taylor's legal team ... they have 16 neighbors who claim the plainclothes officers didn't announce their presence before going inside.

Even worse -- the initial police report about the raid stated there were "no injuries" ... which obviously doesn't make any sense. The major issue with the case, unlike George Floyd's killing, is no audio or video of the incident has surfaced ... at least not yet.

We broke the story ... Breonna's mother and attorneys believe there may be more evidence than law enforcement has been willing to disclose, and are demanding the release of documents and any footage available. Taylor's side believes a "cover-up" might be afoot.

Of course, Breonna's story is one of several about black Americans being killed by cops that has sparked nationwide protests to end racism and police brutality ... and the movement's still demanding justice for her.

Originally Published -- 11:49 AM PT

Bow Wow Social Unrest In ATL Will Be Addressed ... On My Reality Show

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Bow Wow
IT'S ABOUT PERSPECTIVE

Bow Wow says he's going to use his platform to show people what's unfolding on the streets of Atlanta ... he says civil unrest will be a big part of his reality show.

The rapper and television producer joined us Thursday on "TMZ Live" and said his show, "Growing Up Hip Hop Atlanta," will spend a great deal of air time discussing everything that's been going on in the ATL -- riots, protests, COVID-19 and the Rayshard Brooks killing.

Bow Wow says the beauty of reality TV is being able to tackle topics in the here and now, and he says it's only right to train cameras and attention on what's unfolding in a city rocked by social unrest.

One example, Bow Wow tells us, is a trip around town with Angela Simmons, where they come across storefronts boarded up to protect against looters.

Rayshard Brooks
NEW SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE

Bow Wow says the show will also point out where some high-profile incidents went down in Atlanta ... and it sounds like he's talking about the Rayshard shooting in a Wendy's parking lot at the hands of police, and maybe even where 6 other Atlanta cops tased black students in their car during a protest.

The coronavirus pandemic has also changed the way Bow Wow produces the show, but he tells us why the tide may be turning, and how being in Atlanta makes it a little easier to keep the cameras rolling.

Univ. Of Florida Bans 'Gator Bait' Chant ... Over Racist Ties

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The Univ. of Florida is pulling the plug on its famous "Gator Bait" chant ... with the school's president saying its racist ties make it no longer acceptable for UF to use.

In a statement released Thursday ... President Kent Fuchs axed the popular cheer -- which has been screamed by thousands of fans weekly during Gators college football games over the years.

"While I know of no evidence of racism associated with our 'Gator Bait' cheer at UF sporting events," Fuchs said, "there is horrific historic racist imagery associated with the phrase."

"Accordingly University Athletics and the Gator Band will discontinue the use of the cheer."

If you're unfamiliar ... America's past use of "gator bait" truly is disturbing -- reportedly, white men would use African-American babies to lure gators out of swamps so they could hunt them more easily for their skin.

At UF sporting events ... the band would play some tunes and pause so the entire crowd could chant in unison, "Gator Bait!"

Fuchs said in addition to stopping all that ... the school will take even more steps to ensure racial justice -- vowing to remove any UF-controlled "monuments or namings" that have ties to the Confederacy.

The school president also said the Univ. of Florida will no longer receive labor from inmates ... adding, "the symbolism of inmate labor is incompatible with our university."

"It is past time for UF to commit and engage in this challenging, uncomfortable, transformational work," Fuchs said. "We know that we cannot undo lifetimes of injustice and racism, but we believe we can make progress -- in education, in advancing truth, reconciliation and justice, and in anti-racism, equality and working to eradicate inequities."

Machine Gun Kelly & Megan Fox Close and Comfy ... Leaving MGK's House

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Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox have reached the sleepover stage of their relationship ... which continues to move at warp speed.

The actress was leaving the "Bloody Valentine" rapper's Los Angeles house Wednesday, and they looked super comfortable with each other -- almost like an old married couple -- as he walked her out to her ride. Machine Gun, total gentleman.

As you know, things between MGK and Megan continue to heat up quickly ... they've been getting closer and closer for a month now, and Kelly recently declared his "love" for her on social media.

While there was no make out sesh this time, it's pretty easy to see MGK and Megan are tight as can be with each other. They've got that look in their eye.

It's kinda interesting ... Megan left MGK's pad rocking a Pink Floyd graphic tee, which looks awfully similar to the one her estranged husband, Brian Austin Green, wore last week during a hangout with Courtney Stodden.

We broke the story ... BAG and Courtney are still in the friend zone, at least for now.

Megan and MGK, on the other hand, look to be in full-blown romance territory.

Jamie Foxx Bulks Up to Play Mike Tyson ... Reveals 'Iron Mike' Bod

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Mark Birnbaum, Jamie Foxx
IRON FOXX

Jamie Foxx is BECOMING Mike Tyson -- he's got the voice down ... and now he's showing off his yoked out body!!

Foxx is starring in an upcoming biopic about the boxing legend -- he'll play both young Mike and older Mike. He's been working on the project for years.

But, the production seems to be picking up steam -- and during a recent episode of "Catching Up with Mark Birnbaum," Jamie revealed how he's transforming his body to look just like Tyson.

So, how's he doing it?

Foxx says he has a daily workout regimen of 60 pull ups, 60 dips, 100 push ups ... "It's changing the body. Top half."

As for lower body? There's a different plan for that.

"I ain't got no legs, I ain't got no calf muscles so we're gonna have to get some prosthetics for that."

Foxx says he'll be 216 pounds when shooting begins (he starts as young Mike) -- and then to play Old Mike, he'll "balloon to 225, 230 which will look like 250 on screen."

Jamie's been super excited about the project for years -- and even previewed the opening scene on HOT 97 back in 2015.

Florida Man Threatens Teen Girls in Racially Charged Vid ... You Don't Belong Here!!!

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A white man accosted a trio of 15-year-old girls -- one of them black -- and threatened to call security and have them arrested ... and his tirade was caught on video.

The confrontation went down Sunday in Wellington, Florida, after the man began following the girls in his car as they were riding with 2 boys on a golf cart.

He was allegedly upset about the cart blocking him, but instead of going around he chose to tailgate them ... and continued following the 3 girls as they hopped off to walk to the home of Breonna Nelson-Hicks, the black girl seen in the video.

As you can see ... the man angrily accused the girls of not belonging in the development, then said he's going call the gate and have them all arrested. He added ... "You do not deserve to be in here."

When he started pleading his case to a neighbor, the girls chimed in and said he was going to hit them with his car. Finally, Breonna had enough and went in her house to get her grandfather, Tony Nelson.

BTW -- the angry guy's reasoning for accosting 15-year-olds seemed very strange.

Grandpa Tony eventually confronted the man about threatening the kids ... which he oddly denied, and that's where the video stops.

Tony's convo with the man didn't, though. He tells The Palm Beach Post they continued to talk and the man tried to defend his actions, but at one point talked about apologizing to the teens.

Tony says it was too late for that, though -- because Breonna was "hysterical" after the incident -- and he called the cops to file a report. The man did, as well, and claimed he almost hit the golf cart being driven by the teens.

Law enforcement says after looking into it ... no crimes were committed by any parties.

Taco Bell Fires Employee for Wearing BLM Face Covering

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Taco Bell might have a supreme problem on its hands ... after firing one of its longtime employees for wearing a Black Lives Matter face covering.
BREAKING IT DOWN

Taco Bell might have a supreme problem on its hands ... after firing one of its longtime employees for wearing a Black Lives Matter face covering.

Denzel Skinner was fired after 8 years on the job as a shift leader at a Taco Bell in Youngstown, Ohio after he refused to take off his BLM face covering.

He was told by a supervisor he couldn't wear the face cover but he was adamant Taco Bell's policy says nothing about face covers with messages on them. The one stipulation -- face coverings had to be clean. Skinner explained in a Facebook Live video that he wore the face cover because the surgical masks provided by the joint to employees proved inadequate in warm conditions.

Skinner explained the Taco Bell's air conditioning had not been working ... keeping things hot inside. He said it was extremely difficult to breathe while wearing the surgical mask.

When he walked out, Skinner says a manager told him if he walked out he'd get canned. And, he did. As for why he wore a BLM face covering, Skinner said it was in support of protesting police brutality following George Floyd's murder. He said it was important to speak up.

Taco Bell honchos said in a statement that due to mask shortages, employees are allowed to use their own mask or face covering. The joint said it was "disappointed to learn what took place in Youngstown. We are working with our franchisee that operates this location to understand what happened."

They continue, "While our policies at restaurants do not prohibit Team Members from wearing Black Lives Matter masks, we are working to clarify our mask policy so this doesn’t happen again."

The Bell says they've apologized to Denzel, and also made it clear ... “We believe Black Lives Matter."