LA Issues 1st Civil Rights Law Enforcement

We joined LA Civil Rights this week to announce the city’s first anti-discrimination citation under our new Civil Rights law passed in 2019.

Corey Brown, a Black man, was told by Smart & Final security staff that he had to leave his backpack at the front of the store. Later on in the store, he noticed customers of other races with their backpacks, and he had the presence of mind to report it to a community group who works with LA Civil Rights.

Investigators interviewed staff members and found that the store’s bag policy “had no formal application and was applied selectively based on the appearance of a customer.” Now, Smart & Final has to pay a $10,000 citation and correct their discriminatory policy.

Why it Matters

This enforcement should send a clear message to unscrupulous actors in Los Angeles — we are ready to come after you and make sure that this city’s commerce, education, employment and housing are free of discrimination.

Before this law was passed in LA, similar protections were in place at the state and federal levels, but claims can be backed up for years. Because LA’s department is so new, our Civil Rights Enforcement Unit can begin looking into claims immediately.

If you may be a victim of discrimination, report it using 311 or at lacivilrightsclaim.com