Former Capitol Police Call Attention to Discrimination Lawsuit

Lawsuit tied up in court for 15 years, plaintiffs call for settlement

UNITED STATES - JUNE 15: Sharon Blackmon-Malloy and Jim Griffin, demonstrate in support of the United States Capitol Black Police Association citing discrimination by the department against black officers. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
UNITED STATES - JUNE 15: Sharon Blackmon-Malloy and Jim Griffin, demonstrate in support of the United States Capitol Black Police Association citing discrimination by the department against black officers. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Posted June 15, 2016 at 1:57pm

Former Capitol Police officers held a small demonstration on Capitol Hill Wednesday hoping to bring renewed attention to a 15-year-old discrimination lawsuit.  

[
Capitol Police Face New Grievences From Black Officers
] The lead plaintiff in the case, Sharon Malloy, said while several plaintiffs have died since the case was filed, she and others vowed to press on until the lawsuit was settled.  

[
Black Officers Lodge New Discrimination Complaint
]

The case has been tied up in court since 2001 when more than 100 black Capitol Police officers marched into the John Adams Building, held hands, prayed together and filed what would become one of the largest discrimination complaints in the history of Congress.

[
19 Plaintiffs Leave Capitol Police Suit
]

The grievance, filed first with the Office of Compliance then taken to court that fall, was that more than 200 black officers were denied promotions, retaliated against and unfairly disciplined or fired, all on the basis of their race.

Contact Rahman at remarahman@cqrollcall.com or follow her on Twitter at @remawriter


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