MINNEAPOLIS (KFGO) – Video that shows a Mahnomen, Minn. man being kicked off an Amtrak train, allegedly because he’s black, has been obtained by KFGO News.
An attorney for Xavier Edison filed a federal civil rights lawsuit earlier this year. The complaint says Edison was ordered to get off the train, while white passengers were left alone and allowed to sit wherever they wanted.
Edison was traveling from Detroit Lakes, Minn. to the Twin Cities on May 29, 2019, when he moved to another seat to get away from a passenger who smelled of alcohol. After an Amtrak conductor told Edison to get off the train, Edison called 9-1-1 and reported the incident to police in Staples, Minn. Court documents say Edison was removed from the train by an armed Amtrak police officer.
Attorney Karen Bryan says Edison was kicked off the train for one reason: because he is black. Bryan says Edison frequently travels by train and has never had similar problems before.
Amtrak says in court documents that it denies Edison complied with Amtrak rules and regulations and also denies that Edison was ejected to make room for white passengers. The complaint says Amtrak is aware that the same conductor was involved in several prior race discrimination complaints, but no disciplinary action was taken.
Edison is suing Amtrak for at least $75,000, plus $225,000 in punitive damages.
Video shows moment when Xavier Edison, of Mahnomen, Minn. was removed from Amtrak train. Edison says is suing Amtrak and says he was removed becasue he is black.
Posted by KFGO 790 AM on Wednesday, July 15, 2020
