Native American Corrections Officer Files Discrimination Suit Against County Employer

[Bobbieo]

This was sent this morning for posting in my Native Unity column - http://nativeunity.blogspot.com

IT HAS NOT BEEN POSTED YET IN THE COLUMN!!!The degree of racism in this country absolutely disgusts me!!!!


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Caitlin Merrill, Director of Media Relations

[e-mail] 518-218-7100



Native American Corrections Officer Files Discrimination Claim Against

Albany County Correctional Facility



July 28, 2008 – Albany, NY – A claim has been filed by a Native American correctional officer against Albany County Correctional Facility for severe discrimination in the workplace based on national origin. The allegations include acts of discrimination against the officer over a period of three years, of which his supervisors were aware and frequently engaged in.



Robert Hunter, the correctional officer, was recurrently the target of derogatory comments and racial slurs based upon his status as a Native American at the hands of his co-workers, particularly his supervisors.



In one instance, employees at the facility publicly placed a poster of Native Americans in traditional dress and labeled the individuals pictured with the names of Hunter and his family. Another incident involved a surveillance video modified to depict Hunter being attacked to a “cowboys and Indians” style theme song. The video was shown at training sessions for the facility’s staff.



“This has been traumatizing not only for me, but for my family. It just became too difficult to wake up and go to work each day. I would be sick to my stomach in the morning,” said Hunter. “There’s no justification for the treatment I endured. I’m proud of my heritage.”



Hunter attempted to resolve the issues internally to no avail before pursuing legal action.



“The fact that administration failed to acknowledge and resolve the issue, in light of Mr. Hunter’s repeated requests, demonstrates a complete disregard for employees and civil rights in general,” said Ariel E. Solomon, the attorney representing Hunter. Solomon is a senior associate at Tully Rinckey PLLC.



Hunter and Solomon are available for comment on the case. For more information, please contact Caitlin Merrill at 518-218-7100 or via email at [e-mail].





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Tully Rinckey PLLC is one of the fastest growing full-service law firms in the Capital Region and is dedicated to providing quality legal representation and customer service to individuals, families and businesses throughout New York’s Capital and Hudson Valley Regions. The team of attorneys, paralegals, and professionals helps clients in a wide range of practice areas. The firm maintains a website, www.tullylegal.com, with additional information about its attorneys, achievements, and news stories involving the firm’s work.





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[Bobbieo]

1. Will someone please give this post a 5 - I can't. ????

And you may wonder why I worry about Obama!!!!

[MinneapolisMatt]

2. That is...

...absolutely sick. K&R.

[Bobbieo]

3. Thank you for the recommends!!! I feel this is a very important post which embodies

the spirit of DU - At least, I thought it did!!!!

[abenaki]

4. Thank for posting this.

The press release only contains a quater of the stuff I've endured over the past 6 years, not to mention that I'm not the only one who has faced this type of discrimination. Everyone else feared to speak out against because once I did it became 10 times worse,even put my life in jeopordy. I would like to thank all who have posted and BOBBIEO. If you everwant to contact me just email me.

[babi_bella_08]

5. no subject

i apologize for what happened to you while working...and i hope everything works out on ur behalf. no one should have to go throu something like that.

now i do have a question about the place where you have worked.
i have had some people speak to me about the issues they face while in Albany County Correctional Facility (which includes my mom). is there any way once so ever that you would b able to help me and my sister out? we are trying to find any other cases against them so we know if theres some possibility that ours would stand if we decide to but we need to find more cases about the similar ones to yours and my mothers. could you help me out please?

Sincerely,
Jenn

[benedictinator]

6. big suprise it is what it is