Discrimination Lawsuit Filed Against Marriott by Ohio Coach

LeRon “Rocky” Turner, a Black resident of Dayton, Ohio, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Marriott International after he was allegedly denied a hotel room at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Beavercreek on Super Bowl Sunday. Turner, a long-haul trucker and a member of Marriott's rewards program, had booked a room for his family due to heating issues at home. Upon returning to the hotel after picking up food, he was informed that his reservation had been canceled.

Lawsuit: Marriott Hotel Told Black Guest ‘You People’ Can’t Stay Here — Then Called PoliceThe Independent

According to the lawsuit, the front desk manager informed Turner that “you people” and “Dayton people like you” were not allowed to stay at the hotel, citing concerns about drug and alcohol use. The complaint states that Turner was humiliated in front of his family when he had to explain the situation to them. After being denied service, Turner was forced to find alternative accommodations at a higher cost and with fewer amenities.

The IndependentLawsuit: Marriott Hotel Told Black Guest ‘You People’ Can’t Stay Here — Then Called Police

The TownePlace Suites by Marriott is located in Beavercreek, a city with a Black population of approximately 2-3%, while Dayton is about 40% Black. The lawsuit highlights a broader issue of discrimination against local residents, particularly Black individuals, in hotel policies. Some hotels have been known to implement no-locals policies, which can be legally permissible if applied uniformly and not based on race. However, the application of such policies has raised concerns about potential racial bias.

Lawsuit: Marriott Hotel Told Black Guest ‘You People’ Can’t Stay Here — Then Called Police

Turner's attorney, Jacob Davis, stated, “The actions of [Marriott] in this matter made that impossible for no other reason than the race of Mr. Turner and his family.” Co-counsel Damek Mitchell described Turner’s treatment as “unacceptable” and indicative of the discrimination that civil rights laws aim to prevent. Marriott has not publicly commented on the lawsuit.

The Independent

Critics argue that while hotels may have policies against local guests, these should not be used as a pretext for racial discrimination. The lawsuit suggests that the manager's comments reflect a discriminatory mindset rather than a legitimate enforcement of hotel policy. Previous incidents involving similar allegations against Marriott properties have raised questions about systemic issues within the company.

The Independent

Turner is seeking a court declaration that Marriott's policy violates federal and state laws, an injunction against barring local guests, mandatory civil rights training for employees, and compensatory damages. The case, filed in the Southern District of Ohio, is expected to draw attention to the intersection of race and hospitality policies.

The Independent

“Explaining the hotel's cancellation to my family is something I hope no other father endures.” — LeRon Turner, Plaintiff

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“The actions of [Marriott] in this matter made that impossible for no other reason than the race of Mr. Turner and his family.” — Jacob Davis, Attorney

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“precisely the type of discrimination which the Civil Rights Acts were passed to prevent.” — Damek Mitchell, Co-Counsel

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“‘You people’ are not allowed to reserve rooms; ‘You people’ and ‘Dayton people like you’ smoke weed, do drugs, and drink heavily. [The manager] made explicitly clear that Black people from Dayton were not allowed to lodge at the Subject Property.” — Court Complaint

The Independent

This lawsuit underscores ongoing concerns regarding racial discrimination in public accommodations and the need for equitable treatment in the hospitality industry.

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