Al Roker slams 'racist' New York yellow cab driver for 'refusing to pick up him and his 13-year-old son because they are black'

  • Al Roker was taking his son, 13, to the doctor in New York on Saturday
  • Weatherman claims a yellow cab driver ignored him because he is black
  • Driver allegedly snubbed him and picked up a white man just a block away
  • Roker, 61, filed an official complaint and an investigation is now underway 

By Ollie Gillman For Dailymail.com

Published: 00:52 EST, 22 November 2015 | Updated: 02:01 EST, 22 November 2015

Al Roker launched into a furious Twitter tirade after a taxi driver allegedly ignored him because he is black

Al Roker launched into a furious Twitter tirade after a taxi driver allegedly ignored him because he is black.

The weatherman was taking his 13-year-old son Nicholas to a doctor's appointment in New York when he claims a yellow cab driver snubbed him because of the color of his skin.

Roker, 61, branded the driver 'ignorant' and 'racist', filing an official complaint after the incident on Saturday.

The fuming weatherman took to Twitter, saying the cab driver saw him, drove straight past him and picked up a white man a block away. 

He wrote: 'This happens to folks of color every day. And while most cabbies do their job, there are those ignorant, racist ones who hurt the others.

'What really hurts, my 13 yr. old boy was with me and asked why the cabbie passed us. I said, "Nick, ignorant people make dumb choices".

'Hopefully @nyctaxi weeds out the bad apples. Looking forward to a hearing and dealing with this. I will keep you posted.'

Roker, whose Weather Channel show Wake Up With Al was cancelled last month after six years, appears to be having his complaint taken seriously.

Taxi and Limousine Commission chair Meera Joshi told the New York Daily News that an investigation was underway.

'Service refusal goes to the core of the taxi industry's social contract with the riding public and it will not be tolerated,' she said.

The weatherman was taking his 13-year-old son Nicholas to an appointment with the doctor in New York when he claims a yellow cab driver snubbed him because of the color of his skin

The weatherman was taking his 13-year-old son Nicholas to an appointment with the doctor in New York when he claims a yellow cab driver snubbed him because of the color of his skin

Roker (left) was trying to get a cab with his son Nick (second from left). Also pictured, Roker's wife Deborah Roberts and their daughter Leila

Roker (left) was trying to get a cab with his son Nick (second from left). Also pictured, Roker's wife Deborah Roberts and their daughter Leila

'We're grateful that Mr Roker took the time to file a complaint, and I can assure him that we will investigate this thoroughly and take every appropriate action.'

It is illegal for yellow cab drivers to refuse to pick up a passenger because of their race, disability or chosen destination within the five boroughs of New York City. 

In August, yellow cab driver Baqir Raza was fined $25,000 for refusing to pick up black woman Cynthia Jordan, 57, and her daughters outside Macy's in Herald Square.

Raza, who picked up two white women just 25 feet away instead, admitted he was in the wrong over the incident in 2013.

Comments (0)

Share what you think

No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now