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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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8

Swim Club Discriminated Against Minority Kids: Panel

Suburban Philly club could face millions of dollars in fines for booting camp

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(Newser) – A state panel has found that a Philadelphia-area swim club racially discriminated against a day camp group of mostly black and Hispanic children when it canceled an agreement to let them swim, the Philadelpha Inquirer reports. The panel examined the Valley Club's actions and communications before and after the agreement was revoked with the Creative Steps camp. "Racial animus" and "racially coded comments" from members were the cause for the switch, the panel ruled.

The panel—which noted that the club had no black members this year—ordered the club to pay a $50,000 penalty for discrimination against one of the children. The fine could run into the millions if it is applied for each child. A lawyer for the club said the decision "has nothing to do with the actual facts" and will be appealed. "The die was cast by the media firestorm. They had no choice but to reach the decision they did," he said.

Quadir Preston and Asjah Anthony, both 9, demonstrate in front of the Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pa., earlier this year.
Quadir Preston and Asjah Anthony, both 9, demonstrate in front of the Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pa., earlier this year.   (AP Photo/Mark Stehle)
Demonstrators hold up signs in front of the Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pa., in response to allegations that the club blocked a group of minority children from joining weekly swims at the pool.
Demonstrators hold up signs in front of the Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pa., in response to allegations that the club blocked a group of minority children from joining weekly swims at the pool.   (AP Photo/Mark Stehle)
The front gate to the Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pa.
The front gate to the Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pa.   (AP Photo/Mark Stehle, file)
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8 comments
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armywife
Sep 23, 09 3:37 AM CDT
that lawyer is right, the panel did have "no choice" but to reach that conclusion...because it WAS discrimination, idiot. the "die was cast" when they discriminated against those kids.... Reply
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+7
SilenceDogood
Sep 23, 09 4:26 AM CDT
Have any of you people been in a race riot, it’s not pretty. Keep up the good work of fanning the flames of social unrest, bigotry and racism; the resultant firestorm could be significant. Reply
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-9
IN RESPONSE:
RockyPneumonia
Sep 23, 09 5:55 AM CDT
...As once again, a hater blames the victim.
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+10
IN RESPONSE:
SilenceDogood
Sep 23, 09 6:19 AM CDT
RockyPne, you constant application of labels gets a little old, try discussing the issues, not condemning the author and you may get a little respect. I stated nothing that was hateful, nothing that was racist; I stated that a constant barrage of racially charged articles will not help the situation. Americans, both black, white, Hispanic and others all need to process these events and learn to live together. I have not read the specifics of the swim club charges, it may be true or it may not, but is it necessary for the media to exacerbate the issue with finding every racially charged issue and publicize it.
Vote up! Vote down!
-3
IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Sep 23, 09 8:20 AM CDT
Rocky, you have my respect. Silence, had your fill of news, go read a book. Sounds like you would silence all who would point out the issues plaguing our nation if you didn't like it. So much for the 1st Amendment according to you.
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+1

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