T.I. joins protest over alleged discrimination at top Georgia restaurant

Rapper T.I. has joined a boycott of Atlanta, Georgia restaurant Houston's following a discrimination scandal.

Atlanta residents united over the weekend (07-08Oct17) to protest the treatment of African-American patrons by Houston's staff, and the rap star joined them outside the popular diner.

In video footage of his involvement posted on Instagram, T.I. can be seen standing with protesters as they chant, "Whose city? Our city!"

"We have closed the Houston's down for the moment, indefinitely," T.I said in the video. "When they figure out how to treat us, they can open back up."

"This is the kind of activity that we will not accept in our community, as a culture, and with us having buying power in this city," he told a local news station.

Run the Jewels star Killer Mike also supported the boycott and urged Atlanta residents to support black-owned businesses.

In a video he posted on Instagram, the politically-active rapper said, "Houston's is a restaurant that is supported by the black dollar in Atlanta and supported by the entertainment dollar especially. I just call on entertainers and other members of Atlanta who are for justice and right - black or white - and black Atlanta in particular - (to) not only boycott Houston's but find a black restaurant to support or one that treats your community well."

Houston's bosses have released a statement responding to the boycott. It reads: "Charges of discrimination are not only unfounded but are an intentional manipulation using social media. Our policies and guidelines apply equally to everyone."