Valley Swim Club Racial Discrimination Case Settled
Campers and counselors who were turned away from the Valley Swim Club in 2009 were recently awarded monetary compensation in their discriminatory case.
The Justice Department announced yesterday that it had reached a settlement agreement with Valley Swim Club, resolving allegations that the company discriminated against persons because of race.
More than 60 campers were turned away from the swim club in June 2009. Then-president John Duesler said "it was a safety issue" because he underestimated the number of people his club could hold. Some campers reported hearing club members ask what black children were doing there.
According to a philly.com report, lawyers representing the campers are estimating about $1.1 million will be shared with the 73 discrimination claimants - including camp counselors and members from Creative Steps Inc.
The settlement also states that $65,000 will be set aside from the proceeds of the sale of the Valley Club property for the creation of a leadership council that comprises former Valley Club members, Creative Steps counselors, campers and their families. The children and families affected by the Valley Club incident will take leadership roles in planning swimming, educational and recreational opportunities for the community.
From the Justice Department:
In January 2010, the department filed a complaint following an incident at the Valley Club in June 2009. Creative Steps Inc. a Northeast Philadelphia children’s day camp, had paid the club a fee to give its campers access to the club’s swimming pool for the summer. On the first day they swam, the children reported hearing racial slurs while enjoying the pool. On July 3, 2009, the club refunded the day camp’s membership fee and prohibited the children from returning to swim.
“No one may be denied the right to use a swimming pool because of their race or the color of their skin,”
Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.
Valley Club filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy protection in November 2009. The club property was sold in June 2010 for $1,460,000. The settlement agreement stipulates that payments will be made once the administration of the estate and the bankruptcy case is closed and after paying allowed costs and fees.
“This settlement provides significant opportunity to children who were denied an opportunity based on their skin color,” said JoAnn Edwards, executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. “Our hope is that this case serves as prevention for years to come and a reminder that discrimination is illegal, and has no place in Pennsylvania.”
More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. Persons who believe they have experienced or witnessed unlawful discrimination in public accommodations may contact the Housing and Civil Enforcement Section at (202) 514-4713.
Hank Sepanski
6:59 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Typical...Joe Biden probably represented them. Always crying 'racism' and looking for a free lunch. Another sad day in America.
carol
8:01 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Racism is never acceptable, however, how will financial gain eradicate this injustice? Makes no sense to me. There's always a scumbag lawyer lurking in the background
Chris siliquini
8:38 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
What a joke
aandwworks
9:44 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
So what have these kids been taught ? If I feel discriminated against let me get a good lawyer so I can gain financially?
Dell Laptop
11:08 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Lower Moreland people have given me the creeps when it comes to being unfriendly and gruff. The residents remind me of the people that used to live in North East Phila decades ago. They may be the same people.
Liberty 1
12:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
That could explain the election of their current Congressperson.
Liberty 1
11:59 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Sounds like the old Chicago shakedown. Jessie perfected it and Holder practices it. You have to love it.
Kim Murphy
3:12 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Although it is appalling that this would happen especially in this day in age, but I find it totally unnecessary to award anyone such large sums of money.
http://www.EliteWaterDamage.com
marty smith
5:08 am on Saturday, August 18, 2012
In reality I hope they have luck trying to get the money from a long since bankrupt company?
faith lost in mankind
8:21 pm on Saturday, August 18, 2012
Call it a settlement but it is a handout. Can't believe the amount of $$ for an insult! If we paid everyone for an insult there wouldn't be room for all the suits. Scum lawyers and money hungry person who was in debt and saw a pay day left the majority of good peoople from the club without a place to enjoy a clean, family enviornment. Shame on all involved on both sides!
Tired of Hypocrisy
7:26 am on Sunday, August 19, 2012
I am still confused on how this happened in the first place. Philadelphia has many free recreational swimming pools. Why did the Day Camp director want to take the children to a private pool rather than a public pool? Who was the Club contact that approved the Camp's application? Can almost guarantee most of the children could not swim, thus risking insurance problems also. Obviously that person is solely responsible for not checking into the camp prior to approval. I can understand the members being upset. They paid membership fees to be at the pool and to have a large group take over the pool, become rowdy, etc., they had every right to be upset. How the money awarded is going to help with what happened is anyone's guess. Doubt the children will use it for college. In fact, would be interesting to follow the children as they age to see if any do use the money to further their education. Seems to me, it is easy to cry racism and get 'free' money, which is not teaching the children anythinng except to continue to expect handouts. Such a shame
Conservative2012
11:56 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
At least the money was put in trust until the kids turn 18 - so the parents of the kids can't spend it yet. Where did the number of 73 kids come from - I thought it was only 60? How many kids were at the pool the day of the incident? Gee, when we were kids we were always getting yelled at by some old person {probably in their 50's}- should have sued them !
Concerned Resident
6:23 am on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
That will make people think before they dare to spout their racism. Ha!