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AT&T head fired over racial message as Baltimore protests continue

AT&T logo (file photo)

American multinational telecommunications corporation AT&T says it has fired Aaron Slator, a president who became the subject of a $100 million discrimination lawsuit.

No demeaning behavior is allowed within the company, said a Tuesday statement by AT&T.

The move was made after a Monday lawsuit filed by Knoyme King, a 50-year-old black woman who worked for Slator.

The suit is set to continue as racism keeps permeating the company, King’s lawyer, Skip Miller, told The Associated Press.

The move came at a time of protests in Baltimore, Maryland, over racial profiling as a city-wide curfew started earlier in the day.

Map of the clashes between Baltimore police and protesters (New York Times)

Clashes took place in the protests held by Black Lives Matter activists.

Late on Tuesday, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan called for a massive display of security in the city with 2,000 National Guard troops and 1,000 law enforcement officers, as the city begins a week-long curfew.

"We've got a long night ahead of us,'' Hogan said, adding, security forces "will not tolerate violence or looting. Why didn't you move faster? Because they're 14, 15 and 16 year old kids out there.''

Hogan further acknowledged that Baltimore's police culture must change, saying, "We have more to do, but we can't do it by destroying this beautiful city."

Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said, on the other hand that, "Overall today has been a very good day... We're going to be out in strong numbers making sure we have no issues in our city.''

A female police officer in riot gear clutches a truncheon while forming a line across the street from the burned CVS pharmacy the afternoon after citywide riots on April 28, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.

"They're old enough to know better ….old enough to be accountable. But they're still kids, unfortunately, and we have to take that into account when we're out there.''

The protests were triggered by the suspicious death of African American Freddie Gray under police custody.

Young people in cars drive towards a phlanx of Baltimore riot police honking their horns and raising their hands with peace signs the night after citywide riots on April 28, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Latest reports said that police forces used smoke bombs and tear gas to put an end to the protest.

Gray died April 19, a week after an encounter with police that left him with grave spinal injuries. Authorities have not explained how or when his spine was injured.

Police treatment of African Americans and other minorities has become a major issue in the United States over the past year.

NT/NT


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