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Press Releases
Lawyers'
Committee for Civil
Rights Under Law
1401 New York Avenue, NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
For
Immediate Release
Contact: Diane Gross
202-662-8600
October
23 , 2002
Redeem, Inc. Files Retaliation
Lawsuit Against the City of Charleston, Charleston
Housing Authority
CHARLESTON,
WV – Today, a lawsuit was filed in state court
by REDEEM, Inc. ("REDEEM") against the City
of Charleston ("City"); Charleston Housing
Authority ("CHA"), and others alleging retaliation
because of REDEEM's advocacy on behalf of African
Americans in Charleston. The Plaintiffs are being
represented by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights
Under Law ("Lawyers' Committee") and the
Katz Working Families Law Firm in Charleston. REDEEM,
which has been at the forefront of efforts to challenge
racial discrimination by the City and CHA since 1997,
alleges that the Defendants have engaged in a coordinated
retaliation campaign to hinder its ability to continue
its advocacy efforts.
The
lawsuit alleges that, in response to REDEEM's advocacy
and community organizing efforts, the Defendants have
taken every available opportunity to undermine REDEEM's
work and silence the organization. Specifically, the
lawsuit alleges that, among other things, the Defendants
attacked the credibility of REDEEM and its Executive
Director and denied REDEEM and another plaintiff organization
access to City and State funding sources in retaliation
for REDEEM's advocacy efforts.
"We
can no longer stand still while the City and CHA continue
to attack us, clearly hoping to silence us so that
their discriminatory plans for the African-American
community in Charleston can be implemented without
public scrutiny," said Romona Taylor Williams,
Executive Director of REDEEM. In explaining their
reasons for bringing this lawsuit, she added "it
is time for the City to learn that not only will we
not stand for this, but what it is doing is illegal."
"It
is vital that community groups such as REDEEM are
able to organize in minority communities where many
members are not well-represented and where there is
a real need for advocates to step forward to champion
the interests and concerns of the community, "stated
Barbara R. Arnwine, Executive Director of the Lawyers'
Committee. "Accordingly, the Lawyers' Committee
believes that stopping retaliation against such organizations
is critical to our efforts to ensure equal opportunity
for African Americans all across our nation, but especially
in this case in Charleston," continued Ms. Arnwine.
As
part of the lawsuit REDEEM is simply asking that the
court issue an injunction to prevent further retaliation
against them, which is a violation of West Virginia
law. "We are seeking to stop the retaliation
against REDEEM, so that REDEEM will be able to continue
its much needed advocacy to better the lives of Charleston's
minority communities," stated Matthew Clash-
Drexler, staff attorney at the Lawyers' Committee.
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