"Whites only" pool in 2009?

Condemn discrimination at the Valley Club in Pennsylvania

Sixty-five children from a largely Black summer camp in Philadelphia were turned away from a swimming club in the suburbs because of their race. The camp had a contract to use the Valley Club's pool for the summer. Once the club realized the kids were Black, it canceled their membership.

A "Whites only" pool in 2009 should not be tolerated. Please join us in publicly condemning the Valley Club's discrimination:

Here's the letter to the Valley Club:

To the staff and membership of the Valley Club:

I was shocked and outraged to learn that the Valley Club seems to be enforcing a "whites-only" policy at your pool. It is shameful that in 2009, anywhere in America, children have been turned away from a swimming pool because of their race.

I stand together with thousands of Americans across the country in condemning the Valley Club's discrimination. We have also called on the Department of Justice to investigate whether the Valley Club violated federal civil rights laws. Together, we are sending a strong message that this kind of discrimination has no place in our society.

Sincerely,

Here's the letter to Attorney General Holder:

Dear Attorney General Eric Holder:

I was shocked and outraged to learn that the Valley Club, a swimming club outside Philadelphia, seems to be enforcing a "whites-only" policy its pool.

I'm writing to ask that the Department of Justice investigate whether the Valley Club violated federal civil rights laws when it kicked out a group of children from the Creative Steps Day Camp and canceled the camp's contract. It appears the Valley Club canceled its contract with Creative Steps Day Camp after learning that the children at the camp were largely African-American and Latino, a possible violation of section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866.

It is shameful that in 2009, anywhere in America, children have been turned away from a swimming pool because of their race. The Department of Justice should make it clear that such behavior has no place in our society by enforcing laws that prohibit discrimination.

Sincerely,

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