Remember the pool in suburban Philadephia that kicked out a group of young Black and Latino campers, expressing concern that the young people's presence would "change the complexion" of the swim club? The ColorOfChange community mobilized three summers ago in support of the youngsters, demanding that the U.S. Department of Justice take action.
Well, yesterday the case that resulted from this obviously discriminatory turn of events was settled once and for all. The DOJ announced that the campers will divide the proceeds resulting from the $1.5 million sale of the swimming club, which faced bankruptcy as a result of the lawsuits.
Check out the video above to hear the young people talk about their experience at the pool. Here's the backstory:
Their Philadelphia-based camp had entered into a contract with the swim club so that the young people could use the facilities. But once they arrived, youth reported hearing racial slurs and even witnessed some members pull their kids from the pool. Later, the club's president summed up the problem: "There was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club."
We applaud the DOJ for responding to the outcry from ColorOfChange members and our allies and doing the right thing.
Subscribe to our feed
Get the blog by email