Attorney Tamara N. Holder To File Discrimination Lawsuit Against Illinois High School Glenbard North
3.4 GPA Student & Community Volunteer Expelled For Scuffle; Study
by the Chicago Tribune Shows Blacks in DuPage County Expelled Nine
Times as High as Counterparts, Highest in State of Illinois
CHICAGO--(Business Wire)--Tamara N. Holder, Esq., announced today that she will be planning
to file a discrimination lawsuit against Glenbard High School in
DuPage County, for alleged discrimination and wrongful expulsion for
and on behalf of Maya Oquendo, daughter of 1993 Golden Gloves
Heavyweight Champion, Fres Oquendo who recently fought Evander
Holyfield in 2006.
Maya is a 3.4 GPA sophomore student, of African American/Puerto
Rican heritage and a family that upholds traditional values. She is
currently on the track team and Pom squad, and is a community
volunteer, who recently did an overnight cancer-walk. Well liked by
students and teachers, she was expelled this month for a scuffle that
was allegedly instigated by a white, female student who has not been
expelled for this incident. She was also arrested, handcuffed and
taken to Carol Stream police. Maya has never been in trouble before or
had any previous disciplinary problems.
The Oquendo family has retained the services of Attorney and
community activist, Tamara N. Holder who commented. "The obvious
discrimination is absolutely sickening and the school should be
ashamed. A child, with no history of violence or disciplinary problems
should not lose her right to an education for a minor scuffle where
there were no injuries."
This incident sheds a bright light on the cruel disparity between
African-American children being dismissed from school. A recent
article in the Chicago Tribune by Howard Witt entitled, "School
Discipline Tougher on African Americans," dated October 25, 2007
stated that Illinois is one of 21 states where the percentage of black
suspensions is more than double their percentage of the student body.
Furthermore, according to a September 24, 2007 Chicago Tribune
article by Stephanie Banchero "Disparity found in Chicago area" it was
noted that: "The expulsion disparity was greatest in DuPage County,
where blacks were expelled at a rate nine times as high as whites.
African-Americans represent only 6 percent of the public school
population in DuPage, yet they accounted for 32 percent of all the
students kicked out last year," the data showed.
About Tamara N. Holder:
Tamara N. Holder, Esq., (http://www.xpunged.com) is one of
Chicago's rising legal analytical stars. She gained national attention
for fighting for the rights of railroad workers who were fired in the
name of "homeland security" which led to a Congressional hearing. She
most recently filed a class action lawsuit against the City of Chicago
and its Chicago Police officers for illegal searches at the Harold
Ickes Homes. Her law firm specializes in criminal defense, expungement
cases, malpractice and personal injury lawsuits. Ms. Holder sits on
the Women of Power Alumni Association Advisory Board; and is also the
founder of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson's Rainbow PUSH Expungement Clinic.
ACM PR
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Copyright Business Wire 2007
