United States: 'Whites only' pool causes outrage

An appeal for action from US-based anti-racist group Colour of Change reported on the actions of the Vally Club just outside Philidelphia. The appeal said that "65 children from a summer camp tried to go swimming at a club that their camp had a contract to use. Apparently, the people at the club didn't know that the group of kids was predominantly Black."

When the children began using the pool, "the swimming club's staff asked the campers to leave".

The appeal said "the club told the summer camp that their membership would be canceled and that their payment would be refunded. When asked why, the club's manager said that a lot of kids 'would change the complexion ... and the atmosphere of the club'."
Colour of Change said: "The club's actions appear to be a violation of section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act ...

"Obama is President but that doesn't mean that suddenly all is fine when it comes to race in America. This is a vivid reminder of what we know still lies beneath the surface."

Visit Colourofchange.org to add your name to a statement calling on the Vally Club to end its racist exclusion policy.

From GLW issue 802