Group protesting alleged racism at Conn. facility

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (AP) - A coalition of activists is drawing attention to allegations of racism at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School, where some minority employees say they've been treated unfairly at the state facility for delinquent boys.

The Connecticut Truth Force scheduled a protest on Saturday at the Middletown school.

Cornell Lewis, a CJTS youth service officer and minister, is helping to organize the effort. Last year, he waged a seven-day hunger strike to protest the alleged hostile work environment at CJTS. Other grassroots groups have since joined Lewis to demand the Department of Children and Families, which runs CJTS, address the situation.

DCF said it takes diversity and fairness seriously and top administrators have met with Lewis. They said he needs to offer specific instances of unfair treatment so the agency can act.