ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com)—
Students at Washington University reach an agreement with a Chicago nightclub that they say racially discriminated against students on a senior class trip. Ten days after six African American seniors were kept out of a Chicago bar, they stand united with an agreement.Class President Fernando Cutz said, "we have asked The Original Mothers and its management team to work with us and make the original goals we had come to fruition."
Those goals are part of a settlement seniors say the bar agreed to late Wednesday afternoon. Part of the deal will include public and private apologies plus diversity and sensitivity training for employees.
"We are happy to announce Mothers has taken us up on the offer and has chosen to help us fight this battle as we move forward," said Cutz.
Seniors are also organizing an anti-discrimination rally to be held next month in Chicago and four fundraisers for charity. Students say Mother's has agreed to participate in all the events.
"To continue the battle it is important to have Mothers on our side as an example how to move forward," said Cutz.
Students seriously considered a lawsuit after the six african americans were kept out of Mother's because their pants were too baggy. They say money was never the motive.
Senior Chucka Chike-Obi said, "This was always about raising awareness. It was never about the money and will never be about money."
Instead seniors says they want to break the social barriers and keep the country engaged in a dialogue about race relations.
" What we are looking to do is turn and negative into a positive to make sure that all of us learn what happened to these six students never happens again and we move forward together ina productive manor," said Cutz.
We've called Mother's to confirm that they will meet the student demands. Prior to the press conference Mothers issued another statement saying they are considering conducting more rigorous employee training to ensure that policies are understood. They say once a top to bottom review is completed it will determine the next steps to avoid this kind of situation. Students say since they've secured legal council if any of the their demands are not met, they will review their options and then re-consider a lawsuit.
