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A retired black police officer and his white wife are suing American Airlines, claiming they were falsely accused of human trafficking while traveling to celebrate their honeymoon.
Anthony Williams And Katsiaryna Shasholka say the incident left them humiliated, frightened and emotionally scarred, according to their complaint filed in the Southern District of Florida.
Source: Massimo Insabato/Archives Massimo Insabato/Portfolio Mondadori / Getty
False in-flight charges lead to 'embarrassing' detention
In September 2022, Williams and Shasholka boarded a flight from Phoenix to Miami. Their lawsuit alleges that a passenger accused Williams of trafficking his wife and reported him to airline employees without cause.
Innocent before proven guilty??
Upon landing, American Airlines personnel escorted the couple from the plane and detained them in front of other passengers.
According to PEOPLE, their lawyer wrote a complaint explaining how the couple felt:
“Upon landing, our customers were falsely imprisoned by American Airlines employees who escorted them from the plane. They had to wait, confused and embarrassed, while other passengers got off the plane and walked past them.
The couple claims they were humiliated by the experience and suffered severe emotional distress, including insomnia, paranoia, panic attacks, fear, anxiety, embarrassment and humiliation, as reported in court documents.
Williams and Shasholka accuse airline of racial profiling
The plaintiffs say there was no valid reason for the accusations and named American Airlines, the passenger who made the report, and two airline employees as defendants in the lawsuit. They believe these actions were rooted in racial discrimination.
Like, where's the evidence?
The complaint alleges that the airline's handling of the situation caused significant emotional and mental harm to the couple, who were supposed to be enjoying their honeymoon.
American Airlines responds to lawsuit
In a statement provided to PEOPLE, American Airlines said:
“American strives to provide a positive experience for everyone who travels with us. We are reviewing the allegations in the complaint.
Despite the company's vague response, the lawsuit highlights what the plaintiffs describe as a traumatic and unfair experience.
No excuses?? What a terrible start to the honeymoon!
Not the first time: Another black man alleges racial profiling by American Airlines
The lawsuit also draws comparisons to a 2023 incident involving musician David Ryan Harris, a longtime collaborator of John Mayer and Dave Matthews. As reported PEOPLE and covered by BOSSIP, Harris claimed he was accused of trafficking his own biracial children while boarding an American Airlines flight in Atlanta.
According to Harris, a flight attendant reported him after his children allegedly didn't respond to him during an interaction. The officers confronted Harris, letting him explain that the children were in fact his.
It seems that it doesn't take much for the criminals to ruin the lives of the passengers on these flights. Be careful out there.
Following the incident, American Airlines apologized:
“At American, the safety and security of our customers and team members are our top priorities. We strive to create a positive and welcoming environment for everyone who travels with us and we apologize for any misunderstandings that may have arisen.
Harris later revealed that an airline representative had contacted him, stating that the flight attendant had given him a “sincere apology.”
No air points? Boo…
Overview: Racial profiling in travel
Williams and Shasholka's ordeal, like Harris', highlights the ongoing problem of racial profiling in the travel industry. Black travelers often report feeling scrutinized or falsely accused of criminal activity, particularly when traveling with family or people of a different race.
Although American Airlines claims to prioritize creating a welcoming environment, these high-profile cases suggest otherwise. For Williams and Shasholka, what was supposed to be a romantic honeymoon turned into a public spectacle of embarrassment and fear.
Now the couple is seeking justice and accountability through the legal system.
What's next for American Airlines?
As the trial proceeds, American Airlines will face mounting accusations of discriminatory practices.
Whether or not the company will take concrete steps to combat racial profiling remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the pressure is on to repair its reputation among black travelers.
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