A former Miami Police commander says she was demoted after facing racist comments from her boss, including an order to "tone down her look."
According to CBS Miami, Lieutenant Weslyne Lewis Francois filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging discrimination and retaliation.
"I'm just fighting to protect the rights of equality in the workplace, and these rights are sacred and non-negotiable," Lewis Francois, who still works on the force, said in a statement.
While serving as commander of the Miami Police Department's Coconut Grove District, Lewis Francois alleged that her boss, Chief Manny Morales, "criticized her hairstyle" and told her to "tone down her look as it would not be accepted by the Coconut Grove community."
"(Chief Morales was) referring to the fact that she is a Black, Haitian, Bahamian female and that's how she looks," Michael Pizzi, Lewis Francois' attorney, said in a statement. "There's nothing wrong with that. That is a very racist comment."
Chief Morales allegedly retaliated against Lewis Francois after she objected to the racist remarks.
"After she objected to the racist comments, they placed her under the supervision of a Major who had been accused by the civilian investigative panel of using the 'N' word," Pizzi said. "Then they humiliated her publicly."
Lewis Francois initially was stripped of her role leading the honor guard. Chief Morales later took Lewis Francois' title and demoted her to Lieutenant, which allegedly cost her $30,000 to $50,000 annually.
In response to the allegations, a city spokesperson said in a statement: "Ms. Lewis' complaint is merely an attempt to obtain payment from the city for a position she no longer holds. The city looks forward to challenging her false allegations in court."
Pizzi condemned the city's response.
"When someone complains about racism or being told they don't have the right look, and the city's response is to dismiss it as being all about money that speaks volumes about why serious changes are needed at the top of that department," Pizzi said in a statement.
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