CAROLINE, N.Y. — Amanda David, a local herbalist and garden owner, has filed a federal lawsuit against her neighbor, Robert Whittaker, alleging years of discriminatory harassment that she claims has threatened both her family’s safety and her business. The lawsuit, rooted in allegations of race, color, and sex discrimination, cites violations under the Fair Housing Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and New York State Human Rights Law.
David operates Rootwork Herbals and the Jane Minor BIPOC Community Medicine Garden from her property. This garden aims to provide a nurturing space catering specifically to BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, promoting healing and connection through herbal education and community activities. However, according to David, her neighbor’s actions have severely compromised the safety and operational capability of this inclusivity-focused endeavor.
Whittaker has denied all allegations, asserting his innocence and suggesting the disputes stem from neighborhood respect issues rather than discrimination. According to reports, local law enforcement has intervened multiple times without sufficient evidence to elevate charges to a hate crime.
The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office has documented their investigations, noting several arrests but stating the incidents did not meet the threshold for a hate crime charge. Meanwhile, David claims enduring continual racial threats and discriminatory actions, which according to the Black Farmer Fund, typify the systemic discrimination experienced historically by Black agriculturalists.
These broader societal trends reflect in statistics like the 2022 USDA Census, which reports a decrease in Black producers in the U.S., a trend that community advocates attribute to systemic oppression, from discriminatory lending practices to exclusionary local policies.
David alleges that Whittaker’s harassment has been both direct and insidious, citing multiple incidents. She claims Whittaker has verbally assaulted her family, vandalized property, and performed threatening actions such as firing a BB gun during a teen garden session. Protective measures, including an order of protection demanding Whittaker cease contact with David, have reportedly been ignored.
On his side, Whittaker complains about disruptions caused by David’s garden activities, criticizing the noise and proximity of her farm operations to his property. He suggests that local zoning laws should be enforced to prevent such issues.
Legal proceedings are yet to commence, but David’s intention to contest any dismissal motion filed by Whittaker’s legal representation remains firm. She has found the process of securing legal representation challenging, an issue she attributes to gaps in the enforcement and application of anti-discrimination laws, especially in personal disputes between neighbors.
Support for David has come from various community and advocacy groups, highlighting the importance of her work with Rootwork Herbals and its impact on the local community. Nevertheless, the ongoing harassment has reportedly affected not only her family but also the wider network of BIPOC individuals who rely on the garden as a sanctuary for cultural and healing practices.
This case emerges against a backdrop of increasing recognition and response to racial and discriminatory challenges faced by minority communities in rural settings, spotlighting issues like legal support accessibility and the importance of community-based solutions in addressing systemic discrimination.