Share this @internewscast.com

A white mother is suing one of the country’s biggest airlines, claiming it accused her of trafficking her black daughter.

Mary MacCarthy, of Los Angeles, filed suit Thursday against the airline for “blatant racism.” The mother is seeking to change Southwest’s training and policies, after she accused the airline employee had assumed her daughter Moira, then 10, couldn’t be hers based on their differing skintones.

She is also seeking unspecified compensatory damages, for emotional distress. mental anguish and more, along with legal fees.

In Oct. 2021, the suit claims, MacCarthy was traveling to her brother’s funeral with her daughter Moira, then 10, via the San Jose airport, when a Southwest airline employee made the wrong assumption about the pair.

While they were in the air from California to Colorado, a Southwest employee called the Denver Police Department to “report Ms. MacCarthy for suspected child trafficking,” said the lawsuit, filed in US District Court in Colorado.

“There was no basis to believe that Ms. MacCarthy was trafficking her daughter,” the lawsuit states. “The only basis for the Southwest employee’s call was the belief that Ms. MacCarthy’s daughter could not possibly be her daughter because she is a biracial child.”

As the pair walked down the jet bridge after the plane landed, were whisked off for questioning by police, the court papers said. During the questioning, Moira began to “break down in tears.”

The mother-daughter duo was eventually let go, but MacCarthy claims the airline displayed “blatant racism,” which caused her daughter “extreme emotional distress.”

Mary MacCarthy and Moira together.
In Oct. 2021, Mary MacCarthy was traveling to her brother’s funeral with her daughter Moira, then 10, at a San Jose airport when a Southwest airline employee made a wrong assumption that the mother was trafficking her child.
Mary MacCarthy

“The Southwest employee on the plane reported Plaintiff MacCarthy to the police without any conversation or contact with either Plaintiff which would have raised suspicions in the mind of a reasonable person.”

“To this day, when Moira and I are out in public — and especially at airports or on planes — I’m hyperaware that we might be judged and reported for any interaction we have with each other,” MacCarthy told Newsweek.

“It’s a strange feeling to be on alert about your most basic behaviors with your child, and it’s exhausting. As for Moira, she still clams up and doesn’t want to talk about what happened.”

A Southwest plane.
The suit asks for Southwest to review its training and polices to avoid discriminating against interracial families.
AP

MacCarthy’s lawyer, David Lane, said the purpose of the lawsuit is for Southwest to be held accountable and reexamine its training and policies.

“In using racial profiling to cause the Denver police to stop innocent travelers, Southwest Airlines has attempted to address serious the criminal activity of sex-trafficking through use of a stereotypical, easy formula,” he told Newsweek.

Southwest told Newsweek it does not discuss pending litigation.

In November 2021, the airline said it would conduct an internal investigation.

“We were disheartened to learn of this mother’s account when traveling with her daughter,” the airline said at the time.

MacCarthy at first asked just for an apology from Southwest, but she said she never received one. The mother said the interaction made her feel “attacked.”

“Customers should know the true nature of the company they’re doing business with.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
DHS: Assaults on ICE now up nearly 700% over same time last year

DHS Reports: Attacks on ICE Increase Almost Sevenfold Compared to Last Year

The Department of Homeland Security informed Fox News that attacks on U.S.…
Travel nightmare unfolds as storm system grounds East Coast flights ahead of July 4

Chaos hits travelers as East Coast flights are halted due to storm just before July 4

Flights nationwide came to a halt on Tuesday due to anticipated severe…
Illinois lead exposure testing : More Cook County ZIP codes added to list, Illinois Department of Public Health says

Illinois Expands Lead Exposure Testing: Additional Cook County ZIP Codes Identified by State Health Department

CHICAGO (WLS) — The list of areas where lead exposure testing is…
Big plans, hopes cut short for 4 slain Idaho students in 2022

Promising Futures Tragically Ended for Four Idaho Students in 2022 Murder

The tragic deaths of four University of Idaho students in 2022 shocked…
Journalist arrested while covering anti-Trump protest granted bail amid deportation battle

Bail Granted to Journalist Arrested During Anti-Trump Protest Amidst Deportation Dispute

A Georgia immigration judge has allowed a Spanish-language journalist, who was detained…
Germany's Prince Harald von Hohenzollern dies days before child's birth

Prince Harald von Hohenzollern of Germany Passes Away Just Days Before Birth of His Child

Prince Harald von Hohenzollern has died suddenly at the age of 63…
People fleeing in panic.

Dramatic Scene: Russians Flee Fireballs During Ukrainian Kamikaze Drone Attack on Putin’s ‘Gun City’

THIS is the dramatic moment Russians sprinted in terror as Ukrainian kamikaze…
Jury in Diddy's sex trafficking trial to resume deliberations after reaching partial verdict

Jury to Continue Deliberations in Diddy’s Sex Trafficking Case After Partial Verdict

NEW YORK (AP) — The jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking…
Protesters clashing with riot police in Istanbul.

Terrifying Incident: Masses Invade Turkish Magazine Mistakenly Thought to Feature a Forbidden Prophet Image, Leading to Staff Arrests

THIS is the horrifying moment angry protestors storm a Turkish magazine accused…
Man arrested for deadly immigrant smuggling operation that killed Romanian family of four and his own brother

Man Apprehended for Fatal Human Smuggling Incident Resulting in Deaths of Romanian Family and His Brother

A dual U.S.-Canadian citizen was taken into custody last month for his…
Trump praises Mayor Adams' re-election bid — and threatens Zohran Mamdani with arrest if he interferes with ICE

Trump Applauds Mayor Adams’ Re-Election Campaign and Warns Zohran Mamdani Against Obstructing ICE

President Donald Trump expressed approval for New York City Mayor Eric Adams’…
Broken pieces of dark chocolate on a dark surface.

Chocolate from major Walmart competitor recalled in 8 U.S. states due to undeclared, potentially dangerous ingredient.

SHOPPERS have been urged to check their pantries after a box of…