DEARBORN — The Wal-Mart in Dearborn has been a source of controversy for the city since opening in March 2008, and that trend continued Thursday as a $12-million lawsuit was filed on behalf of a Dearborn man alleging racial discrimination.

Nabih Ayad and Associates law firm members (from left to right) Mona Fadlallah, Steve Ogilvie, Zeina Makki, and Nabih Ayad along with CAIR Executive Director Dawud Walid stand in front of the Dearborn Wal-Mart. The store is being sued for racial discrimination. PHOTO: Nick Meyer/TAAN

The lawsuit, filed by Louay N. Kezy through the law firm Nabih Ayad & Associates in Canton, alleges “racial and religious communications and attacks” by co-workers, supervisors, and agents against Kezy, an Arab American Muslim, at the Dearborn Wal-Mart store where he was employed from March until August.
“His life at Wal-Mart was a living nightmare,” said Ayad after a press conference held in a parking lot adjacent to the Wal-Mart. Ayad said that formal complaints made to the company by Kezy were not taken seriously.

“Wal-Mart did nothing to stop it or to lift a finger to help Mr. Kezy,” he said.

Kezy was the only Arab Muslim in a stock room of 20 people during his time at Wal-Mart. The lawsuit alleges that coworkers and direct supervisors made statements to him such as “We don’t like you and your kind” and “You ain’t going to last long here” while also threatening to punch Kezy in the face and accusing him of being a “terrorist.”

Kezy submitted a written report about the incidents and was given a meeting with a supervisor and/or manager, identified as “Scott Doe” in the lawsuit, to further explain his side of the story. Kezy was forced to use a translator despite speaking “fluent English” according to the lawsuit and despite Kezy having resided in the United States for over 28 years.

Following the meeting, Kezy was allegedly forced to do work other stock room associates don’t have to do, including cleaning out the drains outside the store and picking up trash in the parking lot.

On August 11, 2008, Kezy was suspended by Wal-Mart and then discharged with a recommendation not to hire three days later with no explanation. Kezy’s position was then filled by a non-Arab American Muslim.

Council of American-Islamic Relations in Michigan’s Executive Director, Dawud Walid, talked about the situation after the press conference.

“Wal-Mart already has a deplorable record on workers’ rights,” he said. “We find it despicable that they’d do this in the heart of Dearborn and treat their (Arab Muslim) workers like second-class citizens. It’s unjust and unfair.”

Lawyer Mona Fadlallah, who will also work on the case, expounded on the situation.

“I read about people asking why they (Arabs and Muslims) are always asking for special treatment, but all they really want is equal treatment.”

A Wal-Mart spokesperson said he hadn’t yet seen the complaint and couldn’t comment on it, but did confirm that the man was fired.

“Wal Mart prides itself on being an equal opportunity employer,” he said.

He said the Dearborn store “has gone to great lengths to serve the multi-ethnic community there.”

The products that line the store’s aisles show the company’s desire to cater to the diversity of the community it serves, he said.

“Wal Mart has a strict policy that prohibits any form of discrimination.”