MINNEAPOLIS — Six Muslim men removed from a plane last fall after being accused of suspicious behavior are suing not only the airline but the passengers who complained-a move some fear could discourage travelers from speaking up when they see something unusual. The civil rights lawsuit, filed earlier this month, has so alarmed some lawyers that they are offering to defend the unnamed ‘John Doe’ passengers free of charge. They say it is vital that the flying public be able to report suspicious behavior without fear of being dragged into court. ‘When you drive up the road towards the airport, there’s a big road sign that says, `Report suspicious behavior,” said Gerry Nolting, a Minneapolis lawyer. ‘There’s no disclaimer that adds, `But beware if you do that, you might get sued.” The six imams were taken off a Phoenix-bound US Airways flight on Nov. 20 while returning home from a conference of Islamic clerics in Minneapolis. Other passengers had gotten nervous when the men were seen praying and chanting in Arabic as they waited to board. Some passengers also said that the men spoke of Saddam Hussein and cursed the United States; that they requested seat […]
Saturday, March 31st, 2007
Passengers Sued Over Imams’ Removal
Author: PATRICK CONDON
Source: The Associated Press/Breitbart
Publication Date: Mar 30 02:26 PM US/Eastern
Link: Passengers Sued Over Imams’ Removal
Source: The Associated Press/Breitbart
Publication Date: Mar 30 02:26 PM US/Eastern
Link: Passengers Sued Over Imams’ Removal
Stephan: One of the most prominent trends of the past 50 years is that as we become increasing diverse, so that cultural norms do not restrict behavior to the level they once did, everything is decided by litigation not opprobrium.