Ohio college ordered to pay $11MILLION in libel damages because its students labelled bakery ‘racist’ and called for boycott after white employee confronted a black shoplifter
- Jury sided with Gibson’s Bakery, in Ohio, after it sued Oberin College for damages because its students labelled them a ‘racist establishment’
- They awarded $11million to the business, after students encouraged others to boycott the bakery, publicly labelled them ‘racist’ and held protests
- Lawyer for the bakery, Lee Plakas, said the jury agreed that Oberin College had failed to be ‘the adult in the room’ during the incidents
- The backlash occurred after a black student was chased and apprehended for shoplifting by Allyn Gibson, one of the business owner’s family members
- After apprehending the man, who stole a bottle of wine, a brawl emerged as two of the student’s friends joined in
- Later, while pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges for attempted theft and trespassing, the students said that Gibson’s actions were not racially motivated
- The case raises questions about institution’s responsibility for their students’ actions and also the freedom of speech under the First Amendment
An Ohio college will be forced to pay $11million after a jury sided with a bakery that claimed students hurt their business and committed libel by labeling them ‘racist’.
Gibson’s Bakery was branded a ‘racist establishment’ after white employee Allyn D. Gibson confronted a shoplifter in 2016.
Gibson chased the black Oberin College student he suspected of stealing wine out of the store and, according to witness accounts reported by The New York Times, put the man in a choke-hold before two of the student’s friends intervened causing a ‘brawl’.
Students from Oberin College claimed that Gibson’s act as racist and have held multiple protests outside the bakery, and called for a boycott.
Gibson’s Bakery were awarded $11 million by an Ohio jury for the damages to their business following claims of ‘racism’ and ‘racial profiling’ by students
A jury in Lorain County sided awarding $5.8 million to David Gibson (right), $3 million to his son Allyn (left) and $2.2m to Gibson’s Bakery for the damage to their business
Oberin College (file image) has now been forced to pay $11million for the damage students caused to the business Gibson’s Bakery
In a flyer, handed out by students, they encouraged others to boycott the business, reported the ABA Journal.
Later, the students who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of attempted theft and aggravated trespass, said Gibson’s action weren’t racially motivated in a statement to the court.
Following the guilty plea, the 134-year-old family business decided to sue Oberin College for financial loss and damage to their reputation.
Proceedings ended after a jury in Lorain County sided with the family awarding $5.8 million to David Gibson, $3 million to his son Allyn and $2.2m to Gibson’s Bakery.
Gibson’s Bakery was labelled ‘racist’ after Allyn Gibson (right) confronted a shoplifted, this would lead to student protests and fliers handed out (left)
Gibson’s Bakery was established in 1885 and are known for their pastries locally
The college declined to comment, but said they would review the verdict, according to The New York Times
They believed that the institution failed to be ‘adult in the room’ and allowed their students to carry out the acts.
Lee Plakas, a lawyer for the bakery, said: ‘If you’re an aider and abettor, whether it’s a crime or a civil wrong, then you have the same type of responsibility.’
Oberin College previously declined to comment, but in a letter the college vice president Donica Thomas Varner, said they were disappointed and would review the verdict.
They wrote: ‘As we have stated, colleges cannot be held liable for the independent actions of their students.’
The case raises questions around the responsibility of institutions and the freedom of speech under the First Amendment.