The controversy over the turning away of 60 black kids from a private swimming pool in Philadelphia is growing.
The Valley Swim Club is at the center of a firestorm into which Senator Arlen Specter, (D-Pa) has now launched an investigation.
“The allegations against the swim club as they are reported are extremely disturbing”, Specter said in a statement. “I am reaching out to the parties involved to ascertain the facts. Racial discrimination has no place in America today.”
Specter also sent a letter to the President of The Valley Swim Club, John Duesler, denouncing their actions.
The NAACP and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission are also investigating the incident.
Meanwhile, Duesler said that allowing day cares at the pool was an “experiment” that did not work. He noted too that other programs were turned down as well.
The Club has said that race was not the issue, but rather it was one of safety and that they “underestimated the impact the children would have.”
