U.S. Sues Exxon Mobil Over Nooses Found at Louisiana Refinery

The company investigated and banned two unidentified contractors but did not take remedial measures, “such as training, counseling or policy changes, to prevent further racial harassment,” the lawsuit said.

In subsequent incidents, including the noose that Mr. McGhee reported at his work site in January 2020, the company investigated but failed to identify a perpetrator or implement measures to remedy racial harassment at the workplace, the suit said.

The government is seeking damages for Mr. McGhee’s “emotional pain and suffering, inconvenience and humiliation,” the suit said.

“A noose is a longstanding symbol of violence associated with the lynching of African Americans,” Elizabeth Owen, an E.E.O.C. lawyer in New Orleans, said in a statement. “Such symbols are inherently threatening and significantly alter the workplace environment for Black Americans.”

In response to the suit, which was filed in United States District Court in Baton Rouge, Exxon said in a statement that it disagreed “with the E.E.O.C.’s findings and allegations,” NBC News reported.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/05/us/exxon-lawsuit-nooses-louisiana.html