SAN JOSE -- A woman claims to have suffered discrimination by an airline for her facemask that supports a nonprofit cancer group.
Chanda St. Peters filed a complaint on May 19 in Santa Clara Superior Court against Southwest Airlines for breach of contract, negligent infliction of emotional distress and unjust enrichment. The defendant recently removed the case to federal court.
According to the complaint, St. Peters purchased plane tickets for a flight from Las Vegas to Honolulu in March 2021. During her flight, she wore a facemask that said "FU CANCER" with a cancer ribbon between the words, and the mask is for a nonprofit organization charity that is dedicated to prevention, early detection and emotional support for those suffering from cancer, which St. Peters had been diagnosed with.
While in Honolulu, a gate manager told St. Peters to change her mask or turn it around. The gate manager said that he would let it go after she told him what the mask meant because there were no children on the flight, but another gate manager would meet her in San Jose to discuss the mask, the suit claims.
During her flight, St. Peters alleges that she was further harassed by flight attendants and staff because of her mask, even despite having to be wheeled in a wheelchair. St. Peters alleges that further harassment occurred causing her to feel fearful, embarrassed and segregated.
St. Peters seeks general, special and punitive damages, cost of suit and attorney's fees. St. Peters is represented by Brandon J. Chaidez of Wade Law Group.