Discrimination at Lucille Roberts e-mail sent

My name is Sandy Faust and I am currently a member at the Lucille Roberts, located in Jersey City, New Jersey, on Central Avenue. I am writing you about discriminatory practices at this location.

While I had not been on the receiving end of it, I noticed on several occasions, members who are Hispanic, have come into the gym, with out their member ID cards, and have been permitted to work out. I further noticed that African American members who did not have their ID cards were turned away.

Some specific examples: On one occasion two Hispanic women came into the gym and approached the front desk and said �we don�t have our ID�s and we have to hurry in-order to make the 9:00 class. They were allowed to work out. When I finished my work out, I noticed an African American women come in, stating the same thing, and being told by the same employee, that they could not allow her to work out, that she would have to get her ID, when she asked if she could just be accommodated this one time, she was told, �due to insurance purposes, we can not�. On another occasion, a Hispanic women stated that she left her ID in her car, and had parked several blocks away, she was also allowed to work out. On another occasion an African American women, stated that she had switched purses, and left her ID card in the other purse and asked if she could work out, stating that it was a 20-minute drive back home. She was also told she could not work out.

Keep in mind that I am a Hispanic Women, with very dark skin, so I have the appearance of a African American women, that being said, On February 27, 2007, out of curiosity, I decided to send my sister in to the gym, who looks Hispanic, telling them she did not have ID, and could she still work out. Of course she was allowed to. I waited in the car approximately 20 minutes, and then proceeded to enter the gym, I explained to the employee that I did not have my ID today, and asked if I could be allowed to work out. I was told I could not, that ID�s are mandatory. I asked if I could be looked up in the computer, explaining commuter has over 30 minuets, and I was told no.

This is not something that only I have observed; many of the African American members speak candidly about it. But for most, they cannot afford the more expensive health clubs that have come up in the downtown Jersey City area. I am well aware of Lucille Roberts�s excellent reputation in every community. And since I am aware of that, I think you should be aware of what has become down right discriminatory practices, at that location.