Internet delivery service Kozmo.com was sued Thursday by the Equal Rights Center, a Washington D.C.-based civil rights group, and two African-American co-plaintiffs who claim the company refused to deliver merchandise to their homes because they
Published:
17 April 2000 y., Monday
The suit alleges that "Kozmo refuses to contract with, and serve, persons with Internet access in predominantly African-American neighborhoods in Washington because of their race."
The suit further states that "Kozmo denies persons with Internet access in predominantly African-American neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. the full and equal enjoyment of its goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages and accommodations because of their race, place of residence and place of business."
In a statement released Thursday, David Berenbaum, director of the Equal Rights Center said, "The Equal Rights Center believes that the Internet should be the great equalizer -- race should not be a factor in any transaction. Kozmo.com has implemented an intentional policy of discrimination against its consumers."
Berenbaum said Kozmo's practices "document the fact that consumer racism has reached the digital divide." The lawsuit, filed in Washington D.C. District Court, requests unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
Phillip Pierce, a spokesperson for Kozmo.com, told the E-Commerce Times that the company "rejects the irresponsible allegations that Kozmo.com's delivery areas are drawn to exclude minorities." He added that the allegations are "completely false" and "a clear misrepresentation of how Kozmo.com conducts its business."
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) will, for the first time, open its doors in Vilnius on 16 December 2009.
more »
The European Commission has today launched a public consultation on the future of air passenger Rights and released a top 12 list of recommendations to guarantee travellers a safe and problem-free journey this Christmas.
more »
Japan's Toyota Motor announced that it will begin selling "plug-in" hybrid cars in mass volumes in two years' time.
more »
The first results of the latest Eurobarometer survey reveal that for Europeans unemployment is the most important issue facing their own country, while concerns about the economic situation have lessened slightly.
more »
The Human Rights Day focuses on non-discrimination with the motto “Embrace diversity, end discrimination”.
more »
With the season‘s holidays approaching DnB NORD Bankas issued the first gift card in Lithuania that allows the card holder to pay for the presents they enjoy in any shopping, entertainment or catering place where Maestro payment cards are accepted.
more »
Australian journalist Nigel Brennan was on his way to a camp in Somalia in August last year, to highlight the plight of the country's refugees, when he and his colleague, Amanda Lindhout were kidnapped by gunmen.
more »
Corruption remains an obstacle to development and threatens economic recovery. No country in the world is immune to corruption and that also applies to each of the 27 EU Member States.
more »
People across Europe should be encouraged to volunteer more to help themselves and the wider community, MEPs said in a resolution on 26 November.
more »
he heat is on for the UN's most senior climate official. Yvo de Boer , executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is optimistic the climate summit will produce a signed and seal deal.
more »