Case 38: Flint, Michigan Fire Dept. Sued for Anti-White Bias

Almost five years after experiencing racial harassment, blatant racial discrimination, and overt racial intimidation, white Firefighter John Linker finally received a $150,000 settlement from the Flint, Michigan City Council.

B. Flint Firefighter Awarded $150,000 for "Reverse Discrimination"
Flint Council Hands Down Settlement Mon., Feb. 14, 2005

[Flint, Michigan 02-14-05]  On the evening of February 14, 2005, the Flint (Michigan) City Council approved a $150,000.00 settlement to Flint Firefighter John Linker.  Mr. Linker, a white male, was the victim of reverse racial discrimination when he applied for promotions to the Flint Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief position in the years 2000-2001.

          The Linker case was originally dismissed but, on November 25, 2003, the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed and reinstated the Linker case.  Last night, the case settled for $150,000.00.

          The evidence showed that the then Flint Fire Chief, Thereon Wiggins, on an almost daily basis, used racist terms such as "honky" and "white boy". Mr. Linker was passed over for two (2) promotions despite the fact that he had superior test scores and seniority.

          The Linker case is one of a number of reverse discrimination cases successfully brought against the regime of the then Flint Mayor Woodrow Stanley. Stanley was eventually recalled amid charges of reverse racial discrimination.

          Mr. Linker’s attorney, Glen N. Lenhoff, criticizes Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm on the issue of reverse discrimination. Governor Granholm supported Mayor Stanley in the Recall election, and is now taking a position against the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative – a Ballot Initiative that would combat reverse discrimination and that will be on the Ballot in November of 2006.

          Middle-class white males deserve the same civil rights protection as any other group.   Linker is a strong precedent in favor of such protection.

END Case 38: B. Flint Firefighter Awarded $150,000 for   Department "Reverse Discrimination"

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