DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) – The man who was fired from an Iowa truck driving school for his hair is about to file a lawsuit against the company.
Damon Mitchell says he was banned from a commercial driver’s license program at TMC Transportation last month because of his dreadlocks.
The company told him he couldn’t wear a hard hat over his dreadlocks, which is required for the job.
Iowa has no laws protecting employees from hair discrimination.
A law introduced earlier this year called the Crown Act was not passed.
“I think it makes it a little more unique,” said civil rights attorney Ben Lynch. “Number one, I think we really need to get something like the Crown Act passed in Iowa. I think what happened to him is terrible and I think it’s something that should be protected. “
Mitchell filed an Iowa civil rights complaint to commence a lawsuit. He will demand reimbursement of the lost wages from TMC.
After last month’s release, Mitchell returned to his Texas home to seek support from friends and strangers, some of whom were looking for job vacancies.
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