March 25, 2019 Junga Subedar

Noisy Waters Northwest has received a press release from Junga Subedar, Attorney and Media Contact. According to the press release a complaint filed on March 24, 2019 alleges the following:

COMMUNITY MEMBER CALLS TO ACCOUNT ALLEGED RACIALLY DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES AND POLICIES OF THE COMMUNITY FOOD CO-OP

On March 24, 2019, Gia Buu Dam filed a lawsuit in the Western District of Washington against Community Food Cooperative alleging denial of rights by the racially discriminatory actions, decisions and practices by the Community Food Co-op (Co-op). The Co-op is a business operating in Bellingham, Washington and one of the most successful businesses of its kind in the country. The Co-op represents itself as the community’s source for healthy, sustainable food and groceries, guided by the international cooperative principles. (“Our Vision, “Our Mission”, “Our Values”, “Co-op Principles”, Community Food Co-op).

Plaintiff Gia Buu Dam is a Vietnamese refugee and resident of Bellingham. She and her family became members of the Co-op based on the representation that the Co-op is a safe and inclusive business and community for all shoppers, including People of Color (PoC) for healthy food and groceries. The lawsuit alleges Ms. Dam has suffered multiple instances of consumer racial profiling and discriminatory treatment at the Co-op by their managers and employees.

The lawsuit alleges the Co-op breached their obligations to Ms. Dam and discriminated against her in violation of the Civil Rights Acts of 1866 and 1964, violated the Washington Consumer Protection Act (RCW19.86) and Washington Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60), and violated other rights. Ms. Dam brings this action due to the alleged violations for redress of her injuries and to create positive institutional changes at the Co-op, in the hopes of creating a truly equitable and inclusive community where all people, including People of Color, can safely shop for healthy food and groceries.

Copy of Complaint filed at this link:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1d8dci4ck5fWiLgKUUY1RcVEYlRgUApUz

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