Nike Sued Over Alleged Bias, Illegal Detention of Black Shoppers

A Black family that was allegedly chased, harassed, and accosted outside a Nike Inc. store in Santa Monica, Calif., and falsely accused of theft sued the company in California federal court alleging various violations of U.S. and state law.

Joel Stallworth visited the Nike store in Santa Monica with his wife and child, where he purchased a small basketball for his son, the suit says. A store manager then chased them along the promenade, demanding they return the allegedly stolen ball, and engaging three armed police officers. Stallworth was forced to show the receipt for the ball, and was followed ...