Rosewood Claims Bill
Reparations for African-American survivors of a racial massacre.
Description
In 1923 the African-American town of Rosewood, Fla., was burned to the ground by white people from neighboring communities. We filed a claims bill in the Florida Legislature seeking damages for survivors.
Status
$2.1 million paid by the State to survivors and descendants.
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Housing Discrimination: Givens v. Hamlet Estates
Principal Attorneys
Steve Hanlon, Marilyn Holifield
Description
Class action brought on behalf of approximately 5,000 dark-skinned tenant applicants who were denied rentals over the course of a decade. An injunction with remedial provisions was obtained as well as the largest damage award ever paid to resolve a housing discrimination claim.
Status
$3.4 million settlement.
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Check Cashing Discrimination: Williams v. Staples
Civil rights action challenging discriminatory check-cashing policy for African-American customers.
Principal Attorneys
Steve Hanlon
Co-Counsel
Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs
Description
A Staples store in Virginia refused to accept an African-American customer's out-of-state check while accepting white customers' out-of-state checks. The Court of Appeals for Fourth Circuit reversed the federal district court's summary judgment against the plaintiff in this civil rights claim brought under 42 USC 1981.
Status
Settlement of $50,000 for plaintiff negotiated after Fourth Circuit's decision.
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Farm Loan Discrimination: Pigford Plaintiffs
Federal lawsuits for 10 black farmers against USDA to redress decades of discrimination.
Principal Attorneys
Steve Bogorad, Marc Miller, Roxan Kerr
Description
On Sept. 15, 2003, we filed suit in federal district court in Washington, D.C., for 10 black farmers who opted out of a Pigford class action settlement against the USDA. The lawsuits challenge egregious discrimination by the USDA, including higher standards for loans and humiliation, and seek $25 million in damages.
Status
Pending in federal district court in Washington, D.C.
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