Local & Community
Indio Seniors Sue City over Access to Senior Center
A group of seniors is suing the City of Indio alleging discrimination against them by staff at the city’s Senior Center after being denied full access to the facility.
There is nothing like spending time with friends for a group of senior men, they spend time together almost daily as they tease each other while playing a serious game of pool.
Their usual meet-up place has become the backyard of one of their friends but that is after many of them no longer feel welcomed at the Indio Senior Center.
Antonio Diaz is one of those friends who say the management of the center is too harsh.
Diaz said, “I do not feel welcomed because they do not respect us and they discriminate often.” He said he was yelled at by the supervisor of the center after he gave a thumbs-up and thumbs-down to one of his friends while doing activities in the game room.
The group feels the senior center staff is unreasonably strict towards them because of their heritage.
The group’s lawyer, Rahul Sethi said it is a negative treatment that warrant’s a lawsuit.
Sethi said, “For a lack of a better word, the new management finds them quote on the quote ‘too Mexican,’.”
After many disagreements between the staff and the members, the game room became off-limits for good.
Jaime Barajas is a part of the group of friends and he was surprised when one day he arrived at the center with the doors of the game room shut closed.
Barajas said, “That it had become like a Cantina… and I was like what? that was a surprise because, in reality, that’s not the way I saw the game room, I treated it like a place to recreate and see my friends.”
The group contacted city officials to voice concerns and even held demonstrations outside the Indio City Hall, ultimately they saw it as a matter for the court.
Sethi said, “Is it really a lawsuit about playing pool, billiards, it is about that but it is also about basic human dignity and how everyone should be treated.”
The lawsuit filed by the plaintiff Comite Latino against the City of Indio cites two complaints, violation of city and governmental code protecting full and equal accommodations in any business establishments regardless of national origin.
Sethi said this could easily be resolved outside of court, he said, “Just sit down and hammer out an agreement that works for everybody that is fair, just, and treats them equally and dignity, that’s what I’m most concern about.”
Meanwhile, the elderly men spend most mornings and afternoons at the home of Jesus Espinoza but he said the triple-digit heat is no place for men their age.
Espinoza said, “We celebrate our birthdays, we sing karaoke sing and have fun but it’s harsh during the summertime.”
The group’s attorney said the rules for the Senior Center are too subjective, especially when it comes to noise levels, he said clearer rules may help avoid future problems and expects to a legal response from the city soon, city staff has not yet responded to NBC Palm Springs request for comment.
By: NBC Palm Springs
July 16, 2019
Latest Instagram Posts
Tim O’Brien at the Coachella Valley Firebirds training camp!!
BREAKING NEWS 🚨: Murder Suspect Vicky Kim has made a court appearance for the first time in almost two weeks amidst medical delays and two refusals. Today she plead NOT GUILTY to all charges of killing her husband. She is set to appear October 7th for her preliminary hearing. Be sure to visit nbcpalmsprings.com for more information on this case. #breakingnews #courtnews #vickykim #coachellavalley #760
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. Did you catch the bug that’s going around?
Talking With Thalia: GLP-1 medications have become a popular tool for weight loss, but what you eat while taking them matters, too. Local dietitian Jessica Brantley Lopez shares the importance of protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber and hydration, along with why smaller, more frequent meals may help manage side effects and support healthy weight loss. Jessica also opens up about her own experience with GLP-1 medication and how it changed her approach to helping others. Talking With Thalia is sponsored by DAP Health. Watch the full conversation at NBCPalmSprings.com. #TalkingWithThalia #DAPHealth #GLP1 #WeightLoss #Nutrition Dietitian HealthToday CoachellaValley PalmSprings NBCPalmSprings
Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery are one step closer to completing their $110 billion merger after a coalition of 12 state attorneys general reached a settlement with Paramount. The settlement resolves the states’ antitrust lawsuit, though it still requires court approval. The agreement includes commitments involving film production, workers and editorial independence for CNN and CBS News. California AG CNN’s Brian Stelter reports. #Paramount #WarnerBrosDiscovery #ParamountMerger #CNN #Hollywood #Media #Merger #Entertainment
A high-speed police chase in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, came to a dramatic end when the vehicle plunged into Lake Como. Dashcam video released by police shows the pursuit before the car crashes into the water. Four people inside the vehicle were pulled from the lake with no serious injuries reported. Police say the driver was charged with reckless driving. Watch the video and get more at NBCPalmSprings.com.
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. Don’t sweat the small stuff!
As fall approaches, it’s time to start thinking about your annual flu shot. The CDC recommends flu vaccination every season for nearly everyone 6 months and older, and September or October is generally the ideal time for most people to get vaccinated. The 2026-27 flu vaccines have been updated to target the strains expected to circulate this season. There’s also a new option this year: Moderna’s mFLUSIVA, the first FDA-approved mRNA flu vaccine, for adults 50 and older. Talk with your health care provider about which flu vaccine is right for you and make a plan to get vaccinated this fall. Learn more about DAP Health at DAPHealth.org. #FluSeason #FluShot #FluVaccine #DAPHealth #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #Health #Wellness #NBCPalmSprings
Murder Suspect Vicky Kim was set to appear in court at the Larson Justice Center today following her recent medical clearance to appear in court, but refused. However, she may be forced to appear should she refuse again. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs as we follow the latest developments of this case #VickyKim #arraignment #courtupdate #riversidecounty
🚨 20 ARRESTS. 6 GUNS SEIZED. Cathedral City Police report 20 arrests and six handgun seizures following two days of enforcement tied to a Mongols Motorcycle Club gathering. Police also issued 77 citations and impounded 14 vehicles. The operation involved multiple law enforcement agencies and was four weeks in the making. #CathedralCity #BreakingNews #Mongols #CoachellaValley #PublicSafety