MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) — A Memphis florist is closing her doors for the week after receiving death threats over an Instagram post she made saying she refuses to serve customers who voted for President-elect Donald Trump.
Everbloom Design is a special event floral studio on Broad Avenue serving customers with flowers for every occasion.
On the shop’s page, Everbloom Design owner Kristin Wolter posted a short clip stating, “I won’t do business with people who support the president-elect. It is because I need to create a safe place for me, my staff, and my family.” It has since been deleted.
The owner posted on social media that the business is now temporarily closed after receiving several death threats. She also made all of her social media accounts private.
“She does have the right to say anything she says, but I do think she needs to be judged by her quality of work. I have never had any issues with her work, but I don’t agree with what she’s saying,” said a nearby business owner. “If it was flipped the other way, we don’t want the other side doing that. So, we got to be kinder with our words and actions and realize there are consequences to what we say.”
The Human Rights Protection Act of Tennessee protects against discrimination involving age, race, and gender — but political beliefs are not protected. This allows businesses to refuse services because of political stances.
In a recent post, Wolter says she will be taking legal action and will continue her fight by donating some of her sales to the American Civil Liberties Union.
NewsNation affiliate WREG has reached out to Wolter. She says she is not ready to speak at this time.