Lawsuit: Michigan Catholic school’s rule discriminates against students from mostly Black areas

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – A bunch of households is suing Michigan Catholic college’s over a rule they are saying discriminates in opposition to college students from principally Black areas.

The athletes at Orchard Lake Saint Mary’s say they’re being benched due to the place they transferred.

Jon Marko is the lawyer submitting the lawsuit on behalf of the mother and father of three student-athletes suing the Archdiocese of Detroit and the Catholic Excessive College League.

“All they wish to do is play,” mentioned Marko. “Think about transferring to a brand new college for brand spanking new alternatives after which to be instructed you possibly can’t play sports activities, despite the fact that you’re eligible beneath state regulation, you possibly can’t play sports activities since you come from certainly one of these areas.”

The rule in query prevents boarding college college students from taking part in sports activities in the event that they’ve transferred in from sure faculties in Detroit or Lansing.

The lawsuit claims the rule discriminates in opposition to college students, particularly these of colour.

“It simply doesn’t make any sense, and the rule is discriminatory as a result of it’s focusing on areas the place you might have giant minority populations,” Marko mentioned. “So it’s screaming out African American youngsters basically.”

In a press release by St Mary’s, the college says it solely follows Michigan code. On Might 9, they obtained phrase from the Truthful Housing Heart Of Metropolitan Detroit that they might instantly cease administering the rule as a result of it was illegal and discriminatory.

The assertion additionally provides the college has been working with the Catholic Excessive College League and the Archdiocese of Detroit to discover a lawful answer. However Marko says that’s not adequate.

“The varsity has been attempting to take care of it,” Marko mentioned. “The varsity has been attempting to come back to a decision. Simply let the youngsters play. Let the youngsters play, and don’t discriminate in opposition to these youngsters.”

The Archdiocese of Detroit despatched native 4 the next assertion in response to the lawsuit.