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Marriott Sued After Black Guest Says Ohio Hotel Canceled Stay and Called Police

The case tests whether a 'no locals' rule can cross the line into illegal race discrimination.

Overview

  • LeRon “Rocky” Turner filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Marriott after a TownePlace Suites in Beavercreek, Ohio refused his confirmed reservation.
  • He alleges a manager canceled the stay, said “you people” and “Dayton people like you” use drugs and drink, then called police who asked him to leave.
  • Turner says he paid more for a smaller room at another hotel and could not get a kitchen for his family after their home heat failed on Super Bowl Sunday.
  • The complaint seeks a court declaration that the policy is unlawful, a permanent ban on blocking local guests, mandatory civil rights training, a Dayton-specific non-discrimination policy, and compensatory and punitive damages.
  • The property is independently owned under the Marriott brand, and reporting notes earlier misidentification of the site and a staffer saying locals can book, raising questions about how “no locals” rules are set and enforced.