Southwest Airlines to Pay 1 Cent to Settle Discrimination Lawsuit Over Hispanic Student Program
A federal judge has indicated he will approve a settlement requiring Southwest Airlines to pay just one cent to the American Alliance for Equal Rights, a conservative advocacy group, effectively ending a legal challenge to the airline's now-defunct ¡Lánzate! program. This program previously offered free flights to Hispanic college students.
The lawsuit, brought by Edward Blum's organization, alleged that the ¡Lánzate! program constituted racial discrimination. However, U.S. District Judge Sidney Fitzwater dismissed the group's request to further litigate the case's merits, citing Southwest's decision to discontinue the program as an "unconditional surrender."
Blum, a long-time opponent of race-based considerations in American society, is known for his efforts to dismantle affirmative action policies in higher education. The lawsuit comes amid broader political debates surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
The ¡Lánzate! program, which operated since 2004, provided assistance to roughly 1,500 Hispanic students attending colleges at least 200 miles from their homes. Judge Fitzwater reasoned that continuing the legal battle would be a waste of resources, as the plaintiff had already achieved complete victory with the program's termination. He gave both sides until May 28 to voice any objections.
Southwest Airlines has yet to comment on the matter. Lawyers representing the American Alliance for Equal Rights expressed their view that the case merited further consideration due to its implications for ethnic discrimination by a major corporation. They argued that a nominal payment does not absolve Southwest of potential liability.
The case is titled American Alliance for Equal Rights v Southwest Airlines Co, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, No. 24-01209.
