HYATTSVILLE, Md., Sept. 21, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Paul W. Gardner, II, Esq., filed a lawsuit on behalf of Shauna Anderson against The City of Hyattsville Office of Code Enforcement, Prince George's County, Maryland Division of Environmental Health, Food Protection Program and The Washington Suburban Commission. Anderson believes that these agencies have deliberately and continuously attempted to shut down her Chitlin sales and stop her from opening her Chitlin Restaurant in Maryland.
"I'm not just doing this for me but for all the small businesses around the country that are trying to survive under deliberate efforts from government agencies to shut them down. Some of us just don't fit into a developer's idea of what's acceptable," said Anderson. "It was clear to me after former county councilman Peter Shapiro expressed outrage about an episode of ABC's `Commander in Chief' in which the fictional President arrived outside a Chitlin and Pork Chop restaurant to address the violence in Hyattsville, Maryland. Peter Shapiro had the incredible nerve to say a chitlin restaurant `is a negative stereotype of a poor, dangerous black neighborhood'."
Anderson continued: "I knew right then and there what I was up against. The developers and government of Hyattsville, Maryland did not want my restaurant in their community. They have a prejudiced view of what Chitlins represent: chitlins are a treasured and historic symbol; they bring families together. I chose to open a restaurant for my beloved customers. I want to be a symbol for all the men and women out there who have a dream to open their own business. I wanted my business to be visible and accessible to my customers."
Anderson's life history and Chitlin Market documents were accepted into the Smithsonian's Anacostia Museum in April 2003.
Anderson's lawsuit is based upon claims of harassment, tortuous interference with contract, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Shauna Anderson details her experiences in her book "OFFAL GREAT," due out in early October 2006. Her reality will shake many small business owners to their core (www.chitlinsbyshauna.com)