Black Truckers Sue Denny's for $4 Million After Alleged Racial Discrimination

Lawsuit Filed Against Denny's

• 🚚 Two Black cross-country truck drivers, Damon Whitfield and Hector Madera, have filed a federal lawsuit seeking $4 million each against Denny's.
• 🚫 The lawsuit alleges they were denied service and harassed at a Denny's location in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on August 13, 2023.
• ⚖️ They claim explicit racial discrimination and violation of federal civil rights laws, seeking damages for emotional distress and humiliation.

Incident Details and Allegations

• 🗣️ The truckers state they were ready to order food when a waitress became confrontational, accusing them of yelling and refusing service.
• 🚓 Police were called to the scene, with the lawsuit alleging this was based on a false pretext of them being unruly patrons.
• 🍽️ The drivers assert they were denied their right to a public accommodation, unlike white customers who were being served.

Manager's Involvement and 911 Call

• 📞 The 911 call was made by Mike Fletcher, the regional manager of the Denny's location, who was not present at the time.
• 🔗 Further investigation revealed Fletcher is the significant other of the waitress involved in the initial encounter.
• ⚠️ Fletcher's commentary about the truckers being confrontational was inaccurate as he was not a witness to the events.

Denny's Response and Public Statement

• 📢 Denny's released a statement from CEO Roland Spunberg acknowledging opportunities to improve service and stating a thorough third-party investigation was conducted.
• 💥 As a result, the franchise owner reportedly fired Fletcher, and employees were to undergo dedicated training.
• 🤷 The truckers' attorney, Erica Wilson, called the statement a "half apology", arguing that more needs to be done and that training cannot fix deep-rooted racism.

Legal Action and Future Proceedings

• 💼 The amended lawsuit accuses Denny's Corporation, WKS Restaurant Group, Pilot Flying J, and Fletcher of discriminatory intent.
• 🧑‍⚖️ The plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial for compensatory and punitive damages.
• ⏳ The defendants have 21 days from July 17th to respond to the amended complaint in the US District Court for South Dakota.