Sam Amico
ExxonMobil is being sued for racial discrimination by a U.S. federal agency after allegations that the company failed to protect workers from harassment after five nooses were found at one of its Louisiana plants in 2020.
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The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) said in a statement that a Black employee at Exxon’s chemical plant in Baton Rouge found at least one of the hangman’s nooses in January 2020. The man reportedly made the discovery in January 2020.
At the time, Exxon had been made aware of three other such instances, with a fifth taking place later in 2020, the suit alleges.
US Agency Sues Exxon After 5 Nooses Found at Louisiana Plant
“A noose is a longstanding symbol of violence associated with the lynching of African Americans,” said Elizabeth Owen, a senior trial attorney in the EEOC’s New Orleans Field Office, in a statement. “Such symbols are inherently threatening and significantly alter the workplace environment for Black Americans.”
Per the EEOC suit, Exxon “failed to take measures reasonably calculated to end the harassment.” This created a “racially hostile work environment,” the suit continued.
Exxon is fighting the allegations, saying it disagrees.
“ExxonMobil promptly performed a thorough investigation of this claim, and there was no evidence to support allegations of discrimination,” a statement from the company read.
“We encourage employees to report claims like this. … The symbols of hate are unacceptable, offensive, and in violation of our corporate policies.”
All five nooses were allegedly seen at the same Baton Rouge complex.
