FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CR

TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1998                                                                                                                               (202) 616-2765

                                                                                                                                                                                  TDD (202) 514-1888




JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SUES MONTGOMERY TRAILER PARK OWNER


FOR KEEPING OUT AFRICAN AMERICANS





	WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Justice Department today sued the
owner of a Montgomery, Alabama trailer park who allegedly steered
away prospective African American renters and required white
residents to agree not to invite African Americans to the park. 

	Today's complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court in
Montgomery, accuses David Damron, owner and manager of the Bruner
Trailer Park, also known as Court Street Trailer Park, of violating
the Federal Fair Housing Act. 

	According to the suit, Damron conditioned white residents'
tenancy upon representations that they would not have African-American 
visitors, harassed and evicted whites who had African-American visitors, 
and steered African-Americans who inquired about vacancies at Bruner 
Trailer Park to a predominantly African-American trailer park.  Damron 
also allegedly instructed at least one of his rental agents not to rent 
to African-Americans.

	"The conduct alleged today demonstrates that blatant
discrimination still exists even 30 years after the passage of the
Fair Housing Act," stated Acting Assistant Attorney General for
Civil Rights, Bill Lann Lee.  "No American should be barred from
living in the neighborhood of their choice simply because of the
color of their skin."

	The Justice Department became aware of the discrimination
after receiving information from the Central Alabama Fair Housing
Center.  The Center, a Montgomery fair housing organization, was
assisting two white tenants who had been evicted from Bruner
Trailer Park allegedly because they had African-American visitors. 
Further evidence of discrimination was obtained from an FBI
investigation of the rental practices at the trailer park.

	"Obvious, overt and completely unacceptable practices of
racial discrimination in housing against African Americans, or any
other citizens, will not be tolerated by this office," said Redding
Pitt, U.S. Attorney in Montgomery.  "While great progress in
achieving the American dream for all Americans has been made over
the past 30 years, it is obvious that continued vigilance and,
where necessary, firm enforcement measures may in particular
instances be required.  This case is one in which such firm action
must and will be initiated."

	The lawsuit seeks an order preventing Damron from engaging in
further discriminatory practices and requiring him to pay damages
to any persons identified as victims of the discrimination.  

	The complaint also seeks a civil penalty to vindicate the
public interest.  Under the Fair Housing Act, a court may require
a defendant to pay a civil penalty of up to $50,000 for the first
violation and $100,000 for a subsequent violation.

	Individuals who believe they may have been the victims of
housing discrimination at Bruner Trailer Park should call the
Housing Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Justice
Department at 1-800-896-7743 or the U.S. Attorney's Office at 
334-223-7280.

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