Allegations and Lawsuit Details
This morning, three Black men have filed a lawsuit against American Airlines, alleging racial discrimination. The plaintiffs, Emanuel Jean Joseph, Alvin Jackson, and Xavier Ve, claim they were removed from a flight due to a complaint about body odor. The incident occurred on flight 832 from Phoenix to New York in January. The lawsuit highlights that the men were not traveling together, did not know each other, and were the only Black men on the flight.
Incident Description
The men boarded flight 832 without any issues from their previous connection from Los Angeles. As boarding was completed, American Airlines employees removed eight Black men from the plane. They were taken to the jetway and later moved to the gate area, where they were told they would be rebooked on another flight. The lawsuit alleges that a white male flight attendant made the complaint about body odor.
Plaintiffs’ Experience
The men state that at no point did anyone from American Airlines inform them directly about the odor complaint. After an hour of waiting, they were reboarded onto the same plane, feeling uncomfortable and subjected to stares from other passengers. The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Sue Huta, claims that American Airlines has not provided any answers regarding the incident.
Previous Incidents and Legal Perspective
The lawsuit references other recent allegations of racial discrimination against American Airlines, including a 2017 NAACP travel advisory. CBS legal analyst Ricky Kleeman notes that the case might be challenging to win at trial, depending on the airline’s protocols and any disciplinary actions taken against the employees involved.
American Airlines’ Response
American Airlines issued a statement saying they take all claims of discrimination seriously and are currently investigating the matter. The airline asserts that the claims do not reflect their core values or purpose of caring for people.
Conclusion
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and aims to address what the plaintiffs perceive as racial discrimination by a major airline. The outcome of the case may hinge on American Airlines’ internal protocols and their handling of the incident.