The owner of the Grand Gateway Hotel in Rapid City, South Dakota, was found liable for discriminating against Native Americans. A jury awarded damages following a class-action lawsuit filed by the NDN Collective in 2022. The case gained traction after hotel owner Connie Uhre made controversial posts on social media banning Native Americans from the hotel premises after a tragic incident involving two teenagers. Despite the hotel management filing for bankruptcy and Uhre's death in September 2023, the jury ruled that the discrimination was clear. Many in the community regard this lawsuit as an important step toward addressing racial inequalities.
South Dakota Hotel Owner Found Liable for Discrimination Against Native Americans
A jury ruled that the owner of Grand Gateway Hotel will pay damages after being found guilty of discrimination against Native Americans, sparking widespread discussions on racial inequality.
In a landmark case, the owner of the Grand Gateway Hotel in Rapid City, South Dakota, was found liable for discrimination against Native Americans. The federal jury awarded damages following a lawsuit by the NDN Collective, who emphasized the case was more about justice than money. This decision shines a light on ongoing racial biases in the region, which has faced challenges surrounding racial tensions.
