Madison Square Garden to Settle Civil Rights Lawsuit

According to the United States Department of Justice, Madison Square Garden, also known as the "Garden," has agreed to settle a civil rights lawsuit suit in which they allegedly violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The news was announced today by Rena J.Comisac, who is the Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division along with the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael J. Garcia, claiming that the United States has settled this civil lawsuit against the operators and owners of the "Garden," in a case filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

This lawsuit stems from Madison Square Garden, an entertainment and sports arena that has held thousands of concerts with "A" list celebrities, failing to provide access for people with disabilities to their shows. However, under the settlement, Madison Square Garden has agreed to take numerous steps in order to improve its facilities' accessibility to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. Once completed, they will be in compliance with the ADA.

Garcia stated: "Equal access to Madison Square Garden for those with disabilities is required by law. Today's agreement is the first step toward ensuring every visitor to the Garden can fully enjoy the events held there."

"The Justice Department will continue to vigorously enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act so that individuals with disabilities and their families have equal access to the Nation's sports and entertainment venues, like New York City's iconic Madison Square Garden," said Mrs.
Comisac.

For those who are not familiar with Madison Square Garden, it truly is an atonishing and well known place for its sporting events and frequent concerts. This recent news has upset many who would not think a place like this would be in the middle of such a horrible lawsuit. Madison Square Garden originally opened in 1968, but made major renovations in 1991 in order to be in compliance with the new standards of the Disability Act, which had been enacted a year prior in 1990. Though Madison Square Garden thought their renovations were enough, they actually were not, and as of 2007 they still are not in compliance with this act which is now a breath taking 17 years old.

They will be in compliance soon However. The Garden will install a total of 50 wheel chair and companion seats within their arena. Besides this, they will also install two companion and two wheel chair seats on the Arena floor for basketball games by November 4, 2007. By January 31, 2008, there will be an additional 48 handicapped seats as well as 20 accessible aisle seats. Then by October 31, 2008, another 40 accessible aisle seats will also be available to the disabled.

SOURCE

PRnewswire