QUITMAN — The City of Quitman is facing another lawsuit claiming a city worker’s firing was racially motivated.

Former City Clerk Brunhilde Hudson filed a lawsuit against the city in federal court Thursday, six months after former City Manager William Felts filed a similar lawsuit in May, according to court documents. The complaint against the city claims her firing was illegal under federal anti-discrimination laws and the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which promises equal protection under the law.

Both lawsuits claim that the plaintiffs, who are white, were dismissed from their jobs at a Jan. 2 city council meeting and had their duties subsequently taken over by black personnel. Both lawsuits also suggest a pattern of firings or demotions of white city workers in favor of African-American workers.

Hudson had been the city clerk since 2015, her lawsuit says. 

“The city alleges it has not yet hired anyone into the vital role of city clerk after 10 months, but other African-American employees of the city are performing Ms. Hudson’s job duties upon information and belief,” the lawsuit claims.

Both Hudson’s and Felts’ lawsuits state that after the Jan. 2 meeting, Quitman’s police chief, a white man, was demoted to purchasing agent while an African-American officer was promoted over him first to interim chief, then to permanent police chief.

Also in January, the city’s fire chief resigned, and his replacement, an African-American shift supervisor, was promoted to chief over the white assistant chief, both lawsuits claim.

“Numerous other city positions have been replaced or filled with African-American employees pursuant to the city’s pattern and practice of unlawful racial discrimination,” both Felts’ and Hudsons’ lawsuits claim.

Hudson’s lawsuit seeks restoration to her job, back pay and benefits and payment of attorney’s fees.

Terry Richards is senior reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times.