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A former pro-basketball player is suingUnited Airlinesfor $10 million.
Eric Murdock was escorted off a plane after a flight attendant engaged in “obvious race-baiting” toward him, his lawsuit claims.
The former Utah Jazz player, 50, says in his lawsuit, filed in a federal court in New York City, that he was traveling with his son and asked to switch seats to be next to him during a July 13 flight from Las Vegas to Newark, New Jersey,New York Daily Newsfirst reported.
Shortly after Murdock, who is black, made his request, a white woman changed seats to sit in the exit row. When the flight attendant who allegedly rebuked him offered the woman a drink, Murdock questioned her about the discrepancy, but he claims she told him to mind his own business, according to theDaily News.
In a statement provided to PEOPLE,United Airlines, said, “At United, we proudly hold ourselves to the highest standards of professionalism and have zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind. We are looking into the allegations, and because we have not yet been served with the lawsuit, we are unable to provide further comment.”
TheDaily Newsreports the lawsuit claims the flight attendant tried to force Williams to surrender her phone, shouting, “Erase the video now, or give me your phone … It’s against the law to record me!”
United’s policy about recording on flights does not directly address the circumstances Williams recounts. It states, “The use of small cameras or mobile devices for photography and video is permitted on board, provided you limit the purpose of your photography and video to capturing personal events. Any photographing or recording that creates a safety or security risk or that interferes with crew members’ duties is prohibited.”
Later in the flight, while providing drinks to passengers, the same flight attendant allegedly asked if Murdock and Williams had plans “to boycott,” the service.
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After the court filing, Murdock released a statement.
“In this divisive time people are emboldened to be the worst version of themselves,” he wrote. “I never thought that I would personally be in this position, but neither will I back down. If I can use the fame and respect which I have gained to achieve social change I will.”
source: people.com
