Florida Saleswoman Files Federal Lawsuit Over Alleged Racist Workplace Harassment
Chrisanna Abad, a 29-year-old car saleswoman of Middle Eastern and Hispanic descent, has initiated a federal civil rights lawsuit against her former employer, Gary Yeomans Honda of Daytona Beach, Florida. The legal action alleges severe racial discrimination and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, stemming from what Abad describes as a hostile work environment.
Allegations of Racist Comments and Inadequate Response
According to court documents reviewed by The Independent, Abad began working as a sales consultant at the dealership in April 2025. Within a month, she claims a coworker subjected her to multiple racist comments, including telling her that she "smelled like the Middle East" and threatening physical violence. The complaint details that when Abad reported this incident to the dealership's general manager, who is also of Middle Eastern background, he allegedly dismissed her concerns by telling her to "stop b****ing, complaining, and being childish."
Furthermore, the lawsuit states that a client relations manager witnessed the harassment but merely laughed and rolled her eyes instead of intervening. When Abad escalated the matter to human resources in June 2025, she was reportedly advised to ignore the racist remarks and focus on her work, with suggestions to simply "let it go" if further anti-Middle Eastern comments occurred.
Disability Claims and Subsequent Termination
Abad's complaint also highlights her migraine condition, which she says qualifies as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The document contends that the stress from the discriminatory work environment exacerbated her migraines, leading to a debilitating attack in late July 2025 that required a three-day hospitalization. Upon her release, Abad alleges the general manager fired her for missing those three days of work.
The harassment reportedly continued even after her termination. The complaint claims that in October 2025, a former coworker informed Abad that the client relations manager had stated during a meeting that if Abad were ever hired at another Honda dealership, she would ensure she was fired.
Broader Context of Anti-Muslim Sentiment
This lawsuit emerges against a backdrop of increasing anti-Islam rhetoric from prominent Republican lawmakers. Recent weeks have seen Florida Republican Rep. Randy Fine posting on social media that he prefers dogs to Muslims, Tennessee Republican Rep. Andy Ogles asserting that Muslims "don't belong in American society," and House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana describing Islam as a "misguided religion."
Former President Donald Trump's decade-long history of Islamophobic comments has reportedly contributed to a rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes. This case follows several high-profile settlements involving religious discrimination, including Chipotle's $20,000 settlement in 2025 for a hijab-related incident and JBS Foods' $5.5 million settlement in 2021 over prayer restrictions for Muslim employees.
Legal Claims and Sought Remedies
Abad's lawsuit alleges race-based discrimination, national origin-based discrimination, violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and failures to accommodate her disability under the ADA. The complaint claims the harassment caused her mental anguish, distress, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
She is seeking front and back pay with interest, compensatory and punitive damages to be determined by a jury, along with court costs and attorneys' fees. Company officials, including Gary Yeomans himself, did not respond to requests for comment on the allegations.
The case underscores ongoing challenges in workplace discrimination law and the intersection of racial and disability protections in employment settings.
