Families Announce Plans for Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Against Sun Country Airlines Following BWI-Bound Flight Incident

Families returning from a Junior Olympics Girls Flag Football Tournament announced plans last week to pursue a federal civil rights lawsuit against Sun Country Airlines following an incident aboard a flight bound for Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport that they allege involved racial discrimination, degrading treatment, passenger removal and physical contact by a flight attendant.

The announcement was made during an August 21 press conference, which can be viewed by clicking here, at BWI Marshall Airport, where plaintiffs, family members and attorneys were expected to discuss the allegations surrounding the incident aboard Sun Country Airlines Flight 193.

According to a press release provided to Report Annapollis News, the forthcoming complaint is expected to allege racial discrimination, unlawful removal from the aircraft, assault and battery, and traumatic treatment of children.

The allegations have not been adjudicated by a court, and the press release states that the federal complaint was expected to be filed this week.

According to the press release, a group of African American passengers traveling together, including multiple children, experienced discriminatory and degrading treatment aboard Flight 193 while returning home from the Junior Olympics Girls Flag Football Tournament.

The plaintiffs allege members of the group were publicly berated, repeatedly referred to as “you people,” and treated differently from other similarly situated passengers, according to the press release.

The anticipated lawsuit also alleges that two passengers, including youth football coach and program founder Ms. Lauren Price, were removed from the aircraft despite complying with crew instructions. The plaintiffs contend there was no legitimate safety justification for their removal.

Attorney Saulter said what was supposed to be a routine trip home following a milestone experience for the young athletes instead became a frightening and humiliating encounter witnessed by children traveling with their families and coaches.

A passenger recorded portions of the incident, and video was subsequently shared on social media. According to the plaintiffs, posts concerning the incident received millions of views and generated widespread discussion about racial discrimination, passenger rights and airline accountability.

The plaintiffs further contend that the public attention surrounding the incident prompted Sun Country Airlines to initiate an internal review.

The anticipated complaint also includes separate allegations involving passenger Ms. Ashtyn Whitaker. According to the press release, the plaintiffs allege that a Sun Country Airlines flight attendant intentionally made physical contact with Ms. Whitaker as she attempted to document the incident. The forthcoming lawsuit is expected to include assault and battery claims arising from that encounter.

The families also allege that several passengers, including minor children who witnessed the confrontation and removal of passengers, experienced humiliation, fear, emotional distress and other damages.

The press release contends that the dispute raises broader questions concerning equal treatment in commercial air travel and the protections available to passengers who believe they have experienced discrimination.

According to the press release, the forthcoming lawsuit is expected to seek relief under federal civil rights laws and Maryland law against Sun Country Airlines and the flight attendant involved in the incident.

Attorneys from Saulter Law, P.C. and Gilman & Edwards were identified in the release as among those expected to attend Friday's press conference alongside plaintiffs, family members, community leaders and civil rights advocates.

The press release states that a copy of the federal complaint was expected to become publicly available following its filing and that the complaint and related information would be distributed to elected officials, civil rights organizations, advocacy organizations and media outlets in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Minnesota and nationally.

Report Annapolis News will reach out to the airline for comment.