I am Asian American and was tenant of Brickyard Apartments which is owned and managed by Snyder. My apartment was made uninhabitable by second-hand smoke. Brickyard/Snyder breached the rent contract. We suffered a lot.

Unfortunately, more bad things happened.

On February 2, 2008, we went to Brickyard rental office to request accommodation and remedy. Its Caucasian assistance manager refused to grant reasonable accommodation stating, “Why do you xxx people have so many problems?” and words to that effect. In spite of the overt discrimination, we continued pursuing our fair housing rights. The Caucasian assistance manager became furious and ordered us to leave. As I was leaving the office, a Caucasian employee entered the office and stated. “If you say one more word, I’ll arrest you”. I asked “Do you have an arrest warrant?” “Are you the police?” He replied, “Believe me, I will arrest you.” I called 911 in fear that they may commit such crime as kidnapping. A police officer was dispatched by the 911 center to protect me and my wife.

[as a reminder: the judges have the right to issue arrest warrant and police has the right to perform arrests. Brickyard/Snyder acted like they are both judge and police, far above the law. ]

Two days later, Brickyard/Snyder sent us a letter, which stated that it would not renew our lease when it expires. The letter also stated that we could no longer have access to the rental office and clubhouse nor could we continue to use exercise machines, pick up mail packages, and pay rent as other tenants do.

Later that month, Brickyard/Snyder refused our written request for regular apartment maintenance (proven by written document).

I believe that Brickyard/Snyder have violated the Fair Housing Act (part of human rights laws):

* Made unavailable or denied a dwelling on the basis of race and national origin, in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 3604(a) and

* Discriminated in the terms, conditions, or privileges of rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith, because of race and national origin, in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 3604(b) and

* Refused to make the requested accommodations that were reasonable and necessary, on account of my wife’s medical handicap, to afford her equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling, in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(B) and

* Coerced, intimidated, threatened or interfered with persons in the exercise or enjoyment of their rights under 42 U.S.C. § 3604 of the Fair Housing Act, in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 3617. In doing so Brickyard/Snyder not only threatened to seize and detain me by unlawful force, but also retaliated against us by refusing to renew our lease, denying access to common facilities, and refusing to provide regular maintenance.

I have filed lawsuit in the federal court under Fair Housing Act.

In response, Brickyard/Snyder tell lies to get away.

Brickyard/Snyder claimed that I caused disturbance. But they have no evidence to prove it. On the contrary, I have strong evidence to prove the opposite: Brickyard Apartments by Snyder practiced overt discrimination against us and threatened to seize me by unlawful force. I had to call 911 and a police was dispatched to protect me.

Brickyard/Snyder claimed that “our staff and our staff contacted the police to have them physically removed from the leasing office. A police report confirming this may be obtained from the Bloomington Police Department” First, I called 911 (proven by recording) and a police was dispatched to protect me. Brickyard/Snyder’s claim is shameless lie! Second, there is NO police report. You can go to Bloomington Police Department and see the fact yourself!
Again, Brickyard/Snyder’s claim is amoral lie!

Brickyard/Snyder is marching further in its amoral path. According to law, they should send me copies of their filing. But they filed two ‘Motion To Dismiss” and never send me copies/notification. As a result, I did not respond to their Motion to Dismiss. My case almost got dismissed. In these two occasions they lie to the judge, because they falsely claimed that they sent me the notifications in “Certificate of Service” to the court.

Many people believe that ordinary people in this country have human rights. The media say so every day. But, really?

My apartment was made uninhabitable by second-hand smoke. Brickyard/Snyder refused to make reasonable accommodation. My wife became sick and was forced to live in hotels. Adding insults to injury, Brickyard/Snyder refused to make regular maintenance to my apartment, threatened to seize me by unlawful force, and kicked us out. I keep asking: Do I have human Rights? Where is justice?

Many of you are from other countries or minority. In such cases, you may be interested in my situation, because Brickyard/Snyder treat us differently and because the court’s decision will have impact on you.