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Negro Wins Suit Vs. Tivoli Theatre

Colored Dentist Is Awarded $2,000 Damages Against Chicago Picture House

Source: Variety 18 February 1925, pg. 24.

Judge Hugo Pam, in the Superior Court here, has awarded $2,000 damages to Dr. Leon M. Headen, Negro dentist, in a suit against the Tivoli theatre, a south side picture house. Headen alleged he had been set upon and beaten by ushers two years ago, when he objected against accepting inferior seats.

The case was decided after a two days' hearing. Headen asked $10,000 damages for assault and $500 on a charge of discrimination by the theatre management. Counsel for the theatre owners argued that no discrimination had been shown. The plaintiff, they argued, had attended the Tivoli before and had been accorded the same courtesy as white patrons.

The jury was out for one hour and then brought in a verdict of $2,000 in favor of the plaintiff on the assault charge, returning a verdict of not guilty on the charge of discrimination.






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Page authored: 18 February 2000 -
Copyright 2000 by Scott A. Newman
Source: Variety, 18 Feb 1925, 24.