Lawsuit challenges Southwest’s free ticket program for Hispanic students
A group founded by prominent anti-affirmative action activist Edward Blum has sued Southwest Airlines, alleging that a two-decade-old program that awards free round-trip flights to Hispanic students is racially discriminatory.
A group founded by a prominent anti-affirmative action activist on Monday sued Southwest Airlines, alleging that a two-decade-old program that awards free round-trip flights to Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students is racially discriminatory.
Edward Blum’s American Alliance for Equal Rights in a lawsuit filed in federal court in Dallas alleged that the airline’s program violated federal civil rights laws by excluding non-Hispanic students from eligibility for free tickets.
His group alleged that as a result, two Asian and white students who were members of his nonprofit were barred from applying to the program. The lawsuit seeks an injunction blocking Southwest from using its eligibility criteria.
“Southwest Airlines should immediately open this program to all students, regardless of their skin color or ethnic heritage,” Blum said in a statement.
Dallas-based Southwest did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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