The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) warned black people Tuesday that traveling on American Airlines could be “unsafe” for them.
The NAACP released an official travel advisory warning, urging the black community to take extra caution when booking and boarding flights with American Airlines.
“In light of these confrontations, we have today taken the action of issuing national advisory alerting travelers—especially African Americans—to exercise caution, in that booking and boarding flights on American Airlines could subject them disrespectful, discriminatory or unsafe conditions,” the group said in a press release.
The travel advisory starts Oct. 24 and continues on until further notice. The NAACP implemented the warning in light of multiple incidents in which black passengers were allegedly discriminated against, as the incidents possibly reveal potential “racial bias” against black people from the airlines company, the group said.
“Historically, the NAACP has issued travel advisories when conditions on the ground pose a substantial risk of harm to black Americans, and we are concerned today that the examples cited herein may represent only the ‘tip of the iceberg’ when it comes to American Airlines’ documented mistreatment of African-American customers,” the group noted.
Women’s March organizer Tamika D.Mallory alleged she was removed from an American Airlines flight earlier this month after she got upset that the airlines changed her seat without her knowledge. The pilot had her removed after the two got into a heated verbal disagreement.
“It definitely was white male aggression. I was singled out, I was disrespected, and he was trying to intimidate me. I was discriminated against,” Mallory said at the time.
American Airlines said they would sit down with the NAACP to discuss the group’s concerns over the treatment of black passengers.
“We are disappointed to hear about this travel advisory as our team members — a diverse community of gate agents, pilots, and flight attendants — are proud to serve customers of all backgrounds,” American Airlines spokeswoman Shannon Gilson said. “Every day American is committed to providing a positive, safe travel experience for everyone who flies with us.”
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