Swim Club Accused of Racism Against Minority Children

2009-07-13 23:04:15 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Law, Press Releases)

Wired PR News reports a Pennslyvania swim club has been accused of racism.

A Pennsylvania swim club has been accused of racism after canceling memberships of several minority children.

Press Release Service – Wired PR News – A private swim club in Pennsylvania has been accused of racism after the sudden cancellation of several memberships of minority children. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), following public outrage expressed by many across the nation, The Valley Club defended its actions Friday citing safety concerns as the reason for the cancellations.

As noted in the report, the accusations stem from the swim club canceling arrangements made for 65 children, who are majority black and Hispanic, from the Creative Steps camp to swim on a weekly basis after their fees had been paid. Camp Director Alethea Wright reportedly stated some of the children claimed to have heard racial comments during their first visit, and their fees were returned to them shortly thereafter. John Duesler with the club’s board of directors reportedly stated afterward that the children’s presence could “change the complexion” of the club, but later regarded his remarks as “a terrible choice of words.”

As further noted by the AP, the state commission is reportedly set to investigate the situation, having made it a high priority after receiving complaints nationwide. Commission spokeswoman Shannon Powers is quoted in the report as stating, “It got bumped to the top of the priority list, so were devoting an extraordinary amount of resources to investigating it… It’s a matter we would like to see resolved quickly.”

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