“We would like to express our gratitude for the huge outpouring of prayers, love and concern from all over the world these past few days,” Dao Pepper said. “What happened to my dad should never happen to any human being regardless of circumstance,” she also said.
Lawyer Thomas Demetrio, who is representing Dao, said he did not believe the incident was a matter of racism.
“I think what happened to Dr. Dao could have happened to any one of us,” he said.
UPDATE @ 11 a.m.
The lawyers representing Dao said United Airlines has a history of “bullying” passengers. The firm Corboy & Demetro is representing Dao, and hosted a press conference on Thursday. The lawyers representing Dao were also joined by one of Dao’s children.
The lawyers said: “If you’re going to eject a passenger … It cannot be done under force or violence.”
The attorneys released a statement on Tuesday:
“Dr. David Dao, the United Airlines passenger who was removed from an airplane seat on United Airlines Sunday, is undergoing treatment in a Chicago hospital for his injuries.
“The family of Dr. Dao wants the world to know that they are very appreciative of the outpouring of prayers, concern and support they have received. Currently, they are focused only on Dr. Dao’s medical care and treatment,” said Chicago attorney Stephen L. Golan of Golan Christie Taglia, who along with Chicago aviation attorney Thomas A. Demetrio of Corboy & Demetrio, represents the Dao family.
Until Dr. Dao is released from the hospital, the family is asking for privacy and will not be making any statements to the media, both attorneys said.”
INITIAL REPORT:
The lawyers of the man who was dragged from a United Airlines flight will host a press conference on Thursday morning.
United Airlines has been under fire after several videos went viral of passenger David Dao being forcibly removed from his flight from Chicago to Louisville. The 69-year-old man is a doctor from Kentucky.
» RELATED: Uproar over United video imperils Chicago airport police
The incident started when United attempted to make room for four employees of a partner airline, and asked passengers to get off the flight. The airline offered to pay those who volunteered.
When no passengers came forward voluntarily, four people were selected at random — Dao being one of them. He refused to leave, videos show officers grabbing him from the seat and dragging him down the aisle of the aircraft.
Several videos and photos from other travelers show the man bloodied from the altercation with officers.
The Dayton Daily News will update this story when the news conference starts at 11 a.m.
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