Jesse Jackson backs Washington in McDonald’s lawsuit

Herb Washington, an A’s player in the mid1970s, received support Thursday from the Rev. Jesse Jackson for his lawsuit against McDonald’s.

Washington, 69, a “designated runner” during his time as a bigleaguer, accused McDonald’s of discriminating against Black franchise owners and forcing him to sell his franchises to white owners.

“I recently learned of litigation being filed by Herb Washington, whom I met in the ’80s while running for president,” Jackson said in a statement. “Herb Washington is a man of integrity, having served on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank (of New York) for many years. His lawsuit against McDonald’s has my attention, and I am concerned about its resolution.

“McDonald’s needs to implement a respectbased plan for Black operators. I will be in contact with the executive leadership of McDonald’s regarding these issues.”

Washington owned 27 restaurants, the nation’s largest Blackowned McDonald’s franchise operator. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Ohio, alleges that McDonald’s has been pushing out Washington in part because of his “opposition to the relentless discrimination he has endured in the McDonald’s system.”

Washington said he was forced to sell seven of his McDonald’s restaurants to white owners the past three years and currently has 14 outlets.

“There is a growing crisis emerging between McDonald’s and its Black owneroperators, who have historically been allies and the face of the corporation,” Jackson said. “Although McDonald’s has made tremendous strides over the years, there seems to be an adverse wind blowing in the face of its Black operators.”