The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a civil discrimination lawsuit against the owners and operators of Grand Gateway Hotel and the Cheers Sports Lounge and Casino in South Dakota.
The DOJ sought legal action after the casino and hotel issued a policy that banned all Native Americans from its facility after a fatal shooting that occurred last spring.
Federal prosecutors claim the establishment “discriminated against prospective patrons when they issued the new policy in late March and turned away at least two Native Americans who attempted to book hotel rooms.”
Hotel director Connie Uhre had issued a social media post stating the hotel’s new policy following the shooting. According to the post, the hotel would “no longer allow any Native American [sic] on property. Or in Cheers Sports Bar. Natives killing Natives.”
Federal prosecutors cited the post as evidence of discrimination. In addition to Justice’s action, A nonprofit group that defends Native American rights filed a federal class-action lawsuit against the hotel and Uhre, alleging racial discrimination.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke oversees the DOJ's civil rights division. She shared her remarks with a group of reporters during a conference call and described the polices as “offensive” and “discriminatory."
She commented: “Polices that prohibit Native Americans from accessing public places are patently offensive, racially discriminatory and have no place in our society today. These defendants resorted to conduct akin to policies instituted in the Jim Crow era.”
Because the Grand Gateway sits on Native land, Sioux tribal leaders charged the hotel with violating an 1868 treaty and served it a trespassing order.
A Grand Gateway hotel manager declined to comment about the pending suits.
