A lawsuit filed in North Dakota accuses Jefferson Lines and one of its drivers of racial discrimination after two Black passengers were allegedly forced to sit at the back of a bus during a July 2023 trip — a move their attorney likens to a scene “ripped from the pages of the Jim Crow era.”
The suit, filed last week, centers on a July 13, 2023 incident in Fargo, North Dakota, when two Black men boarded a Jefferson Lines bus.
Although the company maintains a first-come, first-served seating policy, the driver allegedly directed them to move to the back of the bus and threatened to call the police if they didn’t comply.
According to the legal complaint, the two men were the only Black passengers on board. Other passengers, all of whom were white, were reportedly permitted to select their seats freely.
The plaintiff, identified only as a Black man represented by attorney Samuel Savage, complied with the driver’s orders in an effort to avoid escalation.
“In the moment, it was more of a ‘I just want to get to my destination and be about my business,’” Savage told the Black Information Network. “But the harm it caused is lasting.”
Savage said his client rode the rest of the trip from the back of the bus, witnessing white passengers enjoy unrestricted seating, in stark contrast to the treatment he and his companion received.
“I have no doubt that it’s impacted him very, very deeply,” he said. “This was particularly offensive, humiliating, and embarrassing — especially for Black Americans with a lived memory of segregation in the South.”
Complaint Draws Parallels to Rosa Parks and Civil Rights History
The lawsuit doesn’t mince words. It accuses Jefferson Lines and the unnamed driver of violating civil rights law and subjecting the plaintiff to racial discrimination “reminiscent of the Jim Crow Era.”
“Rosa Parks took a stand in 1955, refused to give up her seat, and we’re not going back — not now, not ever, not in 2023, not in 2025,” Savage said in a public statement.
According to the suit, Jefferson Lines only requested an incident report from the driver days after the bus ride. In his response, the driver claimed he had ordered the men to the back because they smelled like marijuana — an allegation the plaintiffs dispute.
The lawsuit notes that the company ultimately issued the driver a verbal warning for “deviating from the policy.”
The plaintiff is seeking $50,000 in damages for the emotional harm and humiliation endured.
State Finds Probable Cause for Discrimination
In a major development, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights issued a finding in January 2025, determining there was probable cause to believe racial discrimination occurred during the incident.
The state agency’s determination adds significant weight to the civil lawsuit and could factor into possible future litigation or settlement discussions.
Jefferson Lines Silent So Far
As of publication, Jefferson Lines has not publicly responded to the lawsuit. The company’s own policy maintains that passengers may select any open seat on a first-come, first-served basis, regardless of race or identity.
Legal observers note that the case could test not only the limits of individual accountability but also corporate responsibility in ensuring frontline employees are trained and monitored for bias.
