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Schakowsky statement on United Airlines passenger forcibly removed from flight out of Chicago

April 10, 2017

“I am absolutely appalled at how United Airlines treated one of their customers flying out of Chicago this weekend. The use of extreme force featured in the video circulating on social media today is shocking and unacceptable.

“The situation that United Airlines faced was one of their own making: United had overbooked its own flight and chose to forcibly remove a passenger instead of increasing their offer until a passenger chose to leave the flight willingly. This use of excessive force is absolutely unacceptable. The Response from United Airlines has been brazenly inadequate – their apology over having to ‘re-accommodate’ passengers is completely insulting, and their attempt to pass the buck by blaming the Chicago Police Department for the incident demonstrates that they do not understand the gravity of this incident. At a minimum, United Airlines must immediately change their policy and give full restitution and compensation to the victim. This is far from the end of the story. ”