FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CR THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1997 (202) 616-2765 TDD (202) 514-1888 JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SUES WEST VIRGINIA NIGHTCLUB FOR ALLEGEDLY CLOSING ITS DOORS TO AFRICAN AMERICANS WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Justice Department today sued the owners of a West Virginia nightclub for allegedly refusing to allow African Americans to enter. According to the suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Wheeling, West Virginia, Images Nightclub in Kearneysville engaged in a practice of turning away African American customers in violation of Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The complaint alleged that the club implemented a policy of discrimination, among other ways, by falsely telling African Americans who wanted to enter the club that it was private and open only to members, even though white persons were routinely admitted without regard to membership. The Justice Department became aware of the practice in April, 1996 after receiving a complaint from a West Virginia couple. The Department filed suit after conducting an investigation which found that the club routinely denies admission to African American patrons. "More than three decades ago, Congress spoke for all decent Americans by making it illegal to exclude people from places such as restaurants and nightclubs simply because of the color of their skin," said Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Isabelle Katz Pinzler. "We will continue to make certain that all Americans are free to exercise their right to visit any place of public accommodation." Title II prohibits places of public accommodation, including nightclubs, hotels, restaurants, gas stations, movie theaters, and other places of entertainment, from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin. The law authorizes the Justice Department to sue owners of such establishments to prevent them from discriminating in the future. Under other federal civil rights statutes, any individual who may have been turned away from an establishment on the basis of race can file a private action to seek monetary damages. "This case demonstrates the sad fact that even in 1997, illegal discrimination in our public places continues to plague our society," said William D. Wilmoth, the U. S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia. "We hope that by taking legal action such as this, we will stop the despicable practice of denying access to public facilities solely because of the color of one's skin." The Justice Department previously sued two Louisiana nightclubs -- Evelyn's Lounge in Holly Beach and La Poussiere in Breaux Bridge -- for discriminating against African Americans by falsely stating the clubs were private. The Justice Department settled the Evelyn's Lounge case last month and the La Poussiere case in February 1996. Today's complaint seeks a court order barring the club's owners from discriminating in the future and requiring the club to take affirmative steps to remedy the effects of any past discrimination. # # # 97-126