A Black retired police officer and his white wife are suing American Airlines, alleging racial profiling after being accused of human trafficking during their honeymoon flight.
The incident occurred in September 2022 aboard Flight 2408 from Phoenix to Miami.
Anthony Williams, 63, and Katsiaryna Shasholka, 34, were newlyweds enjoying their flight when a fellow passenger claimed Shasholka was being transported against her will. The federal lawsuit, obtained by The Independent describes it as an act of racial bias, noting there was "no reason to believe... Shasholka was in any danger, "
Without further investigation, the cabin crew reportedly alerted law enforcement, leading to a humiliating ordeal.
"Upon landing, our clients were falsely imprisoned by American Airlines employees who escorted them off of the plane (and) were made to wait, confused and embarrassed, as the other passengers deplaned and walked by them," the complaint states.
The lawsuit, filed by well-known civil rights attorney Jasmine Rand, contends the couple suffered "mental pain and suffering, sleeplessness, paranoia, panic attacks, fear, anxiety, (and) embarrassment."
It also points out American Airlines' alleged history of racial profiling, citing other incidents involving Black passengers, such as musician David Ryan Harris being accused of trafficking his children in 2023.
"My client is a retired police officer. He spent his life fighting crime, and now to be accused of a crime so heinous as trafficking his own wife is unfathomable. He is committed to fighting for justice for himself and for others that have suffered racial discrimination at the hands of American Airlines," Rand told The Independent.
"There was nothing in our interactions the entire flight that would be indicative of somebody who was being held against their will," Williams told The Independent, "We were just two people having a good time."
In an email to Yahoo News, a spokesperson for American Airlines stated, "American strives to provide a positive experience to everyone who travels with us. We are reviewing the allegations of the complaint.
The airline has a 21-day deadline from January 9, when Williams and Shasholka filed their lawsuit, to respond to the allegations.
Originally published on Latin Times
