[Mr. Smith’s of Georgetown](https://mrsmiths.com/v1/index) calls itself “The Friendliest Saloon in Town.” An ongoing legal battle, however, seems to be putting this slogan into question. The M Street watering hole was sued last week by disabled Georgetown student Taylor Price (MSB ’10), who filed a lawsuit against the bar on Sept. 9, citing discrimination.

As The Hoya reported last week ([“Disabled GU Student Sues M Street Bar, Alleges Discrimination,”](https://www.thehoya.com/news/disabled-gu-student-suing-m-st-bar-discrimination/) The Hoya Sept. 11, 2009, A1), on the night of Jan. 23, a manager at Mr. Smith’s asked Price to move so as not to be a fire hazard. After some discussion between the two parties, Price was escorted out of the building.

r. Smith’s has not made any comment on the lawsuit, other than that it makes a practice of not discriminating. In any event, the information provided by the friends who were with Price that evening seems to justify the legal measures taken by Price; the situation was likely a plain act of prejudice.

Now is the time for the Georgetown community to stand in solidarity with Price as he attempts to turn an unfortunate instance of discrimination into an example for Mr. Smith’s and all other establishments.

This lawsuit should not be about closing down Mr. Smith’s, however. Many patrons may not return to the bar, and that is their prerogative. Price’s goal is a more honorable one.

While Price has not ruled out pursuing a monetary settlement, he says his primary goal is to ensure that nobody is subjected to such treatment in Mr. Smith’s – or any establishment – ever again.

Clearly, Price’s motivations are not driven by a personal vendetta, but instead by a willingness to change an unfortunate mentality that continues to taint the lives of the disabled.

The work of the two firms that are representing Mr. Price, the [Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs](https://www.washlaw.org/) and [Venable LLP](https://www.venable.com/), should be applauded, too. Cognizant of the delicate nature of the lawsuit and the financial burden on a college student like Price, they took on the case free of charge.

r. Smith’s should take the actions that occurred that January evening to heart. For its own future success and institutional well-being, it ought to make amends to the Georgetown and D.C. communities; the public support of Price and fallout from the case could restrict its revenues. To its staff, it should make clear that such behavior toward disabled customers is unacceptable. The manager of Mr. Smith’s that allegedly discriminated against Price should be fired, if he has not been already.

Price’s situation is a rallying call for the university community. Discrimination based on disability is very much alive. Price is a fighter for a vital cause, and students, faculty and administrators ought to fight with him.

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