CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (7News) — A group of special needs students’ visit to a restaurant in Charles County, Maryland, has sparked outrage and calls for a boycott.

The Cracker Barrell Old Country Store restaurant in Waldorf and a Charles County Public Schools program called ACHIEVE are involved. The program uses community-based instruction to help students better navigate their community.

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According to a statement from Charles County Superintendent of Schools Maria Navarro, on Dec. 3, a group of 11 students and seven staff members went on their annual Christmas shopping trip and planned to have lunch at Cracker Barrel. The group called ahead and was told reservations were not required, but when they arrived, the superintendent said they were denied service but could place a fill order.

A teacher’s social media post about the incident has drawn hundreds of comments.

Navarro said, “We are disheartened to learn of the alleged treatment they received while participating in an activity designed to teach our students through real-world applications. The alleged treatment of CCPS students and staff at Cracker Barrel is something no one should experience.”

Read Navarro’s full statement here or below:

7News reached out to Cracker Barrell and received the following statement: