Black men sue American Airlines for 'racial discrimination'
Black men sue American Airlines for 'racial discrimination'
Lawsuit Alleges Racial Discrimination by American Airlines
Incident Details
Three Black men claim they were removed from an American Airlines flight due to a false body odor complaint, which they believe was racially motivated.
Airline's Response
American Airlines is investigating the claims, asserting they do not reflect the company's values of customer care.
Legal Action
A lawsuit filed by Public Citizen alleges racial discrimination and demands unspecified damages for the men's experienced trauma.
Historical Context
The incident is reminiscent of past racial discrimination, highlighting ongoing civil rights challenges.
What specific allegations are being made against American Airlines in the lawsuit filed by the three black men?
The specific allegations against American Airlines in the lawsuit filed by the three black men, Alvin Jackson, Emmanuel Jean Joseph, and Xavier Veal, are that they were victims of "blatant and egregious racial discrimination" after being removed from a flight5. The men claim that they and five other black male passengers were removed from an American Airlines flight from Phoenix to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport in January without any valid reason, based solely on their race. The lawsuit alleges that an American Airlines representative approached each of the eight men and told them to leave the plane and return to the gate in order to be rebooked. The reason for their removal was eventually revealed to be a complaint about body odor. The men were eventually allowed back on the plane, but the lawsuit seeks declaratory relief, just compensation for their pain and suffering, a punitive damage award sufficient to deter American from discriminating against Black passengers in the future, as well as attorney's fees.
How did American Airlines respond to the allegations of racial discrimination made by the plaintiffs?
American Airlines responded to the allegations of racial discrimination by stating that they take all claims of discrimination very seriously and want their customers to have a positive experience when they choose to fly with them. The airline also mentioned that their teams are currently investigating the matter, as the claims do not reflect their core values or their purpose of caring for people.