According to a report from ABC7, four black female members of D.C. Fire and EMS (DCFEMS) are suing the department for $10 million for race and gender discrimination.
The “firefighters have sued the agency for race and gender discrimination in payment of wages, promotions, training and job opportunities, and maintenance of a retaliatory and a hostile workplace with a culture of intimidation,” according to a release.
The lawsuit was filed by civil rights attorney Pam Keith on behalf of DCFEMS members Jadonna Sanders, Shalonda Smith, Takeva Thomas, and Bolatito Ajose, who are seeking “$10 million in compensatory damages for emotional and mental distress caused by the actions of DC FEMS, as well as a jury trial in U.S. Federal Court.”
The firefighters said they were subjected to “harsher standards” and “disciplinary actions” than their white colleagues, according to court documents.
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