A civil rights lawsuit was filed Tuesday by Boardman resident and business owner Herb Washington, of Saddlebrook Dr., against McDonalds.
      According to the law firm of Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane & Conway, Washington built the largest black-owned McDonalds franchise in America, operating 27 stores. The lawsuit alleges the restaurant chain has targeted him for speaking about its unfair treatment of black owners.
      “To make things worse, they are taking his stores away from him and handing them to over white owners,” says Max Karlin, a media contact for Washington’s case.
      “As part of its effort to drive black franchisees from its system, McDonalds has targeted Washington and has pressured him to sell one store after another to white franchisees,” Karlin said.
      A video conference was slated about Washington’s suit on Tues., Feb. 15 and speakers, according to Karlin were set to be Mr. Washington, as well as Rev. Jesse Jackson, Joseph C. Peiffer, managing partner, Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane & Conway; and Kevin P. Conway, a partner in the law firm.
      “If one of the biggest and most powerful corporations in the United States can silence someone with the track record and success of Herb Washington, what black business leader can feel safe speaking out about the mistreatment of African Americans in the business world,” Karlin said.