Newly arrived in my inbox:
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION LAUNCHES RACIAL DISCRIMINATION INVESTIGATION
NAACP requests investigation following Montgomery County swimming pool incident
HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Chairperson Stephen A. Glassman announced today that the commission would launch an immediate investigation into allegations of racial discrimination against the Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley, Montgomery County, after a recent incident in which African-American and Hispanic day campers were asked to leave the club's pool.
"The rule of law in Pennsylvania is equal opportunity for all, regardless of race," Glassman said. "Based on the NAACP's request and public outcry following media reports, we will expedite an investigation to determine whether there has been illegal discrimination."
The commission has legal authority to investigate allegations of illegal discrimination, whether or not a complaint has been filed.
"Allegedly, this group was denied the use of a pool based on their race," Glassman said. "If the allegations prove to be true, this is illegal discrimination in Pennsylvania."
"Protests and public outcry won't do much to help these families," said State NAACP President J. Whyatt Mondesire, who also serves on the commission. "But the Human Relations Commission can determine the facts and hold people accountable for any illegal acts of discrimination. The law simply does not allow discrimination based on race."
In addition, the Valley Club's website has been updated within the past hour or so:
The Valley Club is deeply troubled by the recent allegations of racism which are completely untrue.
We had originally agreed to invite the camps to use our facility, knowing full well that the children from the camps were from multi-ethnic backgrounds. Unfortunately, we quickly learned that we underestimated the capacity of our facilities and realized that we could not accommodate the number of children from these camps. All funds were returned to the camps and we will re-evaluate the issue at a later date to determine whether it can be feasible in the future.
Our Valley Club deplores discrimination in any form, as is evidenced by our multi-ethnic and diverse membership. Whatever comments may or may not have been made by an individual member is an opinion not shared by The Valley Club Board.
My omnibus news update from this morning, including a not-shocking racist email received from the neighborhood in which I grew up, is here.
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updated: Want to do more to help? Sign Color of Change's petition to demand that the United States Department of Justice investigate whether federal civil rights laws have been violated.
As they note:
Obama is President but that doesn't mean that suddenly all is fine when it comes to race in America. This is a vivid reminder of what we know still lies beneath the surface.
We all know stories like this one -- similar incidents play out quietly every day in different communities across the country. The difference in this case is that folks got caught and there was a contract in place that makes for a potentially illegal act.
Standing up now isn't just about making things right for these kids in Philadelphia or bringing consequences to this swim club (called the Valley Swim Club). It's about creating a climate of accountability everywhere. If we can publicly shame the Valley Swim Club and hold them accountable for this incident, it will make others think twice before engaging in this kind of discrimination.
Please join us in condemning the Valley Swim Club's blatant discrimination and calling on the Justice Department to investigate whether they violated civil rights laws. And please ask your friends and family to do the same.