SC gunmaker faces federal discrimination lawsuit

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A Black former worker at Palmetto State Armory is suing the gunmaker in federal court for discrimination after he was the target of racist actions, The State newspaper has reported.

Tremell Washington’s lawsuit alleges that the company and managers did not respond to his reports of workplace disparate treatment and discrimination. The claim seeks damages, attorney’s fees, reinstatement and a written apology.

Washington worked for 10 months during 2021 and 2022 as an armorer for the company.

The State reported that incidents detailed in the lawsuit include:

• Repeated use of a racial epithet by supervisors and co-workers in his presence.
• A noose fashioned from an air hose was left at his workstation twice in 2022.
• In a reference to Black people killed by police officers, a co-worker donned an “I can’t breathe” shirt and told Washington to raise his hands.
• On Sept. 6, 2022, he faced intense criticism and scrutiny of his work from a supervisor and then was fired in front of his co-workers later that day.

Palmetto State Armory’s response denies Washington’s claims. It also says that Washington had been told not to leave work early.

Washington is represented by Chance Sturup of Cromer Babb and Porter, while Palmetto State Armory’s attorney is Chandler Aragona of Burr and Forman, The State reported.