CHARLOTTE, N.C. –– National civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump and co-counsel Diandra “Fu” Debrosse Zimmermann of DicCello Levitt Gutzler have been retained to represent Kamia Smith and Allan Steele-Dadzie, a Black couple who was forced off an American Airlines flight with their seven-week-old infant. Although the couple was sitting calmly with their young baby, the flight attendants and pilot kicked the young family off of the aircraft. The situation can be viewed in a now viral video.
Attorney Ben Crump released the following statement:
“It is extremely upsetting to watch the video of this young family being treated so poorly by American Airlines when all they wanted to do was get home safely with their infant child. Unfortunately, it is all too common to see Black men and women labeled as ‘aggressive’ and treated as criminals to justify disgusting behavior like was exhibited by American Airlines staff.
“Not only was this family humiliated and fearful as they exited the plane, not knowing how or when they would be able to get home, but they were also forced to sit in airplane terminals for over seven hours with their newborn baby. The pilot never came to mediate or intervene in the situation before forcing them off of the plane, and the American Airlines manager working at the gate was dismissive and unhelpful. This situation never should have happened. Every American Airlines employee who treated this family with such apathy and disrespect must be held accountable for their actions.”
Attorney Diandra “Fu” Debrosse Zimmermann further stated:
“I would like to be able to say that this situation is shocking and appalling, but how many times can we use those words to describe a situation that happens far too frequently in our supposedly civilized society? Viral video of the incident shows that Ms. Smith remained calm throughout a terrifying and humiliating ordeal – in sharp contrast to the story told by American Airlines personnel, who labeled the family’s behavior as ‘aggressive.’ The color of one’s skin does not make them ‘aggressive,’ and we will work tirelessly with Attorney Crump to ensure that the family receives the justice they deserve, and that American Airlines and others are put on notice that this type of reprehensible treatment of customers based on the color of their skin cannot stand.”
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ABOUT BEN CRUMP LAW
Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more information, visit bencrump.com.
ABOUT DICELLO LEVITT GUTZLER
At DiCello Levitt Gutzler, we’re dedicated to achieving justice for our clients through class action, business-to-business, public client, whistleblower, personal injury, and mass tort litigation. Our lawyers are highly respected for their ability to litigate and win cases—whether by trial, settlement, or otherwise—for people who have suffered harm, global corporations that have sustained significant economic losses, and public clients seeking to protect their citizens’ rights and interests. Every day, we put our reputations—and our capital—on the line for our clients. For more information, visit dicellolevitt.com.