A Florida man was fired from his job at the London Stock Exchange Group after a viral TikTok video captured him confronting and harassing a Black teenager walking through a neighborhood. The video, which quickly spread across social media platforms, led to a public outcry that resulted in the man’s termination following an internal investigation.

The video shows the teenager walking through a Florida neighborhood while being followed by several white men, one of whom repeatedly questioned him about his presence in the area. With his phone recording the interaction, the teen calmly pushed back, stating that he was simply walking through the community. The men accused the teen of walking by their homes “over and over” and implied that he was there without permission, despite no evidence of wrongdoing.

As the video gained traction online, social media users quickly identified one of the men as Stephen Carega, an employee at the London Stock Exchange Group. The public outrage surrounding the incident led to the company’s swift response, initially suspending Carega while they conducted an investigation. The firm ultimately decided to terminate his employment, citing their zero-tolerance policy on racism, discrimination, and harassment.

In a statement shared by Bloomberg, the London Stock Exchange Group confirmed Carega’s dismissal. “The individual involved was initially suspended while we investigated the matter. The investigation has now concluded, and the individual’s employment has been terminated,” the company said. The statement emphasized their commitment to maintaining an inclusive work environment free from prejudice.

The incident, reminiscent of numerous racially charged confrontations captured on cell phones in recent years, sparked broader discussions about racial profiling and harassment in everyday public spaces. As the conversation continued on social media, many users reflected on the power of cell phone footage to hold people accountable for their actions in real time.

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