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FORMER PRISON GUARD JOSH YOUNG AMPLIFIES FIGHT AGAINST DEI HARASSMENT WITH AMENDED COMPLAINT
LAKEWOOD, Colo. (June 11, 2024): Mountain States Legal Foundation is proud to announce a crucial development in our ongoing fight for justice in the case of former prison guard Josh Young. On June 3, we filed an amended complaint in Young v. Colorado Department of Corrections, identifying the ways in which the Colorado prison’s DEI training is racially harassing to Caucasians.
Josh Young’s quest for justice in federal court began on January 19, 2022, when he courageously filed an initial lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. His argument was simple yet profound: the mandatory Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) training imposed by the Department of Corrections fostered a hostile and discriminatory work environment.
The District Court dismissed Young’s complaint. This setback, however, did not deter Young. On March 1, 2023, Young appealed the dismissal of his complaint to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
As his case advanced to the Tenth Circuit, the stakes grew higher. The appellate court upheld the dismissal of Young’s initial complaint. However, this was not the end of the road. The Tenth Circuit recognized the potential merit of his claim, acknowledging that race-based training could indeed create a hostile work environment under certain conditions. This recognition was a vital foothold for Young’s case, providing renewed momentum and a glimmer of hope.
Seizing this opportunity, Young, with the support of Mountain States Legal Foundation, filed an amended complaint on June 3, 2024, back in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. This comprehensive filing delves deeper into the severe and pervasive hostile work environment fostered by the mandated EDI training. It paints a vivid picture of the detrimental impact on Young’s working conditions and safety, further substantiating his claims.
As Young’s journey continues, Mountain States remains dedicated to fighting for justice and standing up against discrimination. Stay tuned as we take the next steps toward creating a just and equitable society. Exciting things are on the horizon!
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Mountain States Legal Foundation (MSLF) is a nonprofit, public-interest legal firm established in 1977. MSLF is dedicated to individual liberty, limited and ethical government, and the benefits of the free enterprise system. MSLF defends its clients through pro bono litigation and seeks victory for its clients at the highest level possible to establish binding legal precedents to benefit millions of Americans. Through its litigation and public discourse, MSLF educates the American public on the threat unrestrained government presents to our liberties. Learn more at mslegal.org