Six American imams sue US Air for removing them from flight

[babylonsister]

:applause: :applause:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/03/13/imam.suit/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

American imams sue US Air for removing them from flight
POSTED: 5:10 p.m. EDT, March 13, 2007

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Six Islamic religious leaders have filed suit against US Airways for having them removed from a domestic flight last November.

Police escorted the imams, all residents of the United States, off a plane in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after passengers and airline staff said the men were acting suspiciously.

Some of the men had prayed in the airport lobby before boarding, and passengers were concerned when two of the men requested seat belt extensions. (Read full story)

The men were questioned and released later that evening without being charged. But, they said, when they tried to book another flight on US Airways, the airline declined to sell them new tickets.

The men said the arrest was degrading and a violation of their civil rights, and the event provoked outrage from several minority groups. At a news conference Tuesday morning, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said the government must work to protect the civil liberties of every citizen.

"We cannot allow prejudice and fear to determine our actions as a nation," said Nihad Awad. "If the civil rights of one American are violated, the civil rights of all Americans are threatened."

more...

[longship]

1. Important story.

Kudos to them. They deserve to win this hands down. US Airways should pay handsomely for violating their civil rights.

Recommended and kicked.
:kick:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. Good.

Hopefully everybody who made these poor people suffer will loose big.

[youngdem]

3. From what I have read, this was a set up

The imams got on the plane and were acting truly suspiciously in order to draw this reaction (SO GOES A VERSION) in order that they might be a well publicized example of the poor treatment that many Muslims receive while flying.

from a NYPost story (with quotes from passengers and others)

Contrary to press accounts that a single note from a passenger triggered the imams' removal, Captain John Howard Wood was weighing multiple factors.

* An Arabic speaker was seated near two of the imams in the plane's tail. That passenger pulled a flight attendant aside and, in a whisper, translated what the men were saying: invoking "bin Laden" and condemning America for "killing Saddam," according to police reports.

* An imam seated in first class asked for a seat-belt extender - the extra strap that obese people use because the standard belt is too short. According to both an on-duty and a deadheading flight attendant, he looked too thin to need one.

A seat-belt extender can easily be used as a weapon - just wrap one end around your fist, and swing the heavy metal buckle.

* All six imams had boarded together, with the first-class passengers - even though only one of them had a first-class ticket. Three had one-way tickets. Between the six men, only one had checked a bag.

And, Pauline said, they spread out - just like the 9/11 hijackers. Two sat in first class, two in the middle and two back in the economy section, police reports show. Some, according to Rader, took seats not assigned to them.

* Finally, a gate attendant told the captain she was suspicious of the imams, according to police reports.

snip

"It was almost as if they were intentionally trying to get kicked off the flight," Pauline said.While the imams were soon released, Pauline is fuming: "We are the victims of these people. They need to be more sensitive to us. They were totally insensitive to us and then accused us of being insensitive to them."

snip

"I think it was either a foiled attempt to take over the plane or it was a publicity stunt to accuse us of being insensitive," Pauline told me. "It had to be to intimidate U.S. Airways to ease up on security."

snip

Tucked away in the police report is this little gem: One imam had complained to a passenger that some nations don't follow sharia law and had said his job in Bakersfield, Calif., was a cover for "representing Muslims here in the U.S."

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12022006/postopinion/opedcolumnists/about_those_imams_opedcolumnists_richard_miniter.htm?page=0


Now, I FULLY admit that the NYPost is not where I want to get news from generally, but there are dozens of other links on google with the same essential quotes and arguments. I wasn't there. But, I will say, if the above is true, it looks like a stunt gone wrong.

[BlooInBloo]

4. "You didn't hear it from me, but..." - LOLOL - DUers slay me.

[AlCzervik]

5. Neil Cavuto lead his show off today with a supposed passenger claiming the same thing

[Lerkfish]

6. I completely reject this premise

[AlCzervik]

8. me too and the "witness" i heard today sounded confused.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

7. Riiiight.

You know, they say Emmit Till just happened to be going for a midnight swim with a fan wrapped around his neck.

[geardaddy]

9. You expect honest journalism from the NYPost?

:eyes:

[Selatius]

10. If those quotes from those people are true, then US Airways was set up.

Of course, the NYPost isn't a reputable source, but you also don't shoot the messenger either if he's bringing the truth.

Here's a CNN link, with video as well, that corroborates at least some of the things in the NYPost story, such as the seat belt extender issue or them splitting up and not sitting in their assigned seats.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/11/21/passengers.removed/

[Horse with no Name]

16. New York POST?

Isn't that the rag that discounted Keith's encounter with a mailed white powder substance?
Yeah that is a good source.:eyes:

[Solo_in_MD]

20. There were numerous other accouts in sources other than the NYP

They also refused later flights, which guts their claim.

US Air asks for a jury trial and the Imams may end up paying court costs.

[babylonsister]

28. You obviously didn't read the CNN link in the OP:

"The men were questioned and released later that evening without being charged. But, they said, when they tried to book another flight on US Airways, the airline declined to sell them new tickets."

[Deja Q]

32. Who needs Anna Nicole? This is a case worthy of the media attention and popcorn

If it is a stunt gone wrong and the evidence adds up and is proven, those imams will be in serious trouble.

That's all I can say on the matter; I haven't heard both sides' testimony nor am I a juror on the case.

[LostinVA]

55. The NY Post???

Oh boy.

[MrSlayer]

11. Bah, they'll be laughed out of court.

They were intentionally provoking people to get thrown off so they could bring this lawsuit. The crew acted correctly in removing them. They have no case. They weren't tossed for praying before the flight, they were tossed for acting suspiciously, not sitting in the correct seats, requesting seat belt extensions without needing them and making anti-American statements knowing full well they were drawing attention to themselves and making people uncomfortable. This is a bullshit suit and it will be tossed.

[Lerkfish]

12. I have to request seat belt extensions. Does that make ME a terrorist?

I'm larger than most people.

:shrug:

[fishnfla]

14. These guys were normal girth, per witnesses eom

[Name removed]

27. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Deja Q]

34. Probably not. But if you were lanky and requested one,

that WOULDN'T be seen as a logical or rational request and opens up a reasonable doubt. Just not the ones the imams want, obviously...

Again, gotta know both sides and I'm only going to take it all seriously if I was on the jury. I'm not going to prejudge one way or the other and what'd be the point anyway?

[MrSlayer]

48. Come on man.

If you are large enough to need one it's obvious. None of these guys needed them yet they requested them anyway.

[babylonsister]

19. How the hell do you know that?

The passenger "thought" the imams -- who were speaking in Arabic and English -- had made anti-U.S. statements before boarding and "made similar statements while boarding,"

And praying is now a crime?

Seatbelt extensions are now dangerous? They make a flight more comfortable imo because you can sleep on your side.

Changing seats? I do that all the time if I can get two seats or a row to myself.

And they were released; couldn't have been too dangerous.

:eyes:

[MrSlayer]

49. Witnesses.

A woman on board, a translator, spoke their language and attested to what they were saying. The praying happened before the flight, it has nothing to do with the case. Thin people do not need seatbelt extensions, it's suspicious when one who obviously doesn't need it requests one. And you can't sit anywhere you want if other people are assigned to the seats.

They were intentionally making everyone on board uncomfortable. In fact the whole plane broke into applause when these troublemakers were removed.

I'm totally against discrimination and I do not believe these guys were discriminated against. They were looking for trouble and they got just what they wanted. This suit is bullshit and will be tossed.

[karlrschneider]

22. Exactly. There was SOME kind of mischief afoot with this bunch.

Fuck 'em.

[shield20]

13. Screw these idiots...

They are lucky that getting kicked off a flight was all they got.

[karlrschneider]

23. Get out the asbestos underwear...you gonna need it

:D

[Horse with no Name]

15. Freedom of Religion isn't just about Christianity.

I hope they win big.

[Big Pappa]

17. This had nothing

to do with their religion and everything to do about their behavior.

[jberryhill]

50. Joel Osteen's Wife Was Kicked Off Of A Plane Too...

...so I'd call it equal opportunity.

[Pavulon]

18. Captian reserves the right

to remove any one at any time for any reason. It is the right of the other passengers to feel safe and be protected. If they started acting funny mid flight someone could have been choked to death, oh that was southwest.

The days of fucking up on airplanes is over.

If I start talking about david koresh and acting all nutty on a plane I bet I will get tossed too.

[riverwalker]

21. hope they win

I suspect that they have many other witnesses on that plane that said there was nothing unusual about their behavior, which is why they are bringing a suit.

[karlrschneider]

25. Yeah, that obviously explains why so many other passengers expressed their worries.

:eyes:

[Big Pappa]

26. I

have yet to hear of anyone on the plane that says their behavior was appropriate.

[magellan]

24. I saw two of the imams interviewed on DN! a while back

From their account, it sounded to me as if people's attention was drawn to them because of their wardrobe (which marked them as Muslim), and with the resulting scrutiny some passengers over-reacted to behavior they would have otherwise ignored.

[ben_meyers]

29. Had they been Nuns

Praying the rosary I'm sure nobody would have been worried. It wasn't nuns that hijacked airplanes on that day that won't be named. Just because I'm paranoid dosn't mean they aren't out to get me.

[magellan]

35. Paranoia breeds division and discrimination

And that's exactly how BushCo likes it. They'd never have gotten away with half of what they have without the Pavlov's Dogs in society who think nothing of abridging the liberties of others so they can feel a little safer.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[LostinVA]

56. One word: Manzanar

[Hunky Dunky]

30. The Imams would be better served

trying to cleaning up their own house rather than USAir's.

[magellan]

31. They were customers

They have a right to complain and bring suit if they feel they were discriminated against. What goes on in their "own house" is irrelevant.

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[magellan]

36. Sorry, not from what I heard them say

And I'm sure you aren't talking about me when you accuse "some DUers" of defending EVERY FUCKING MUSLIM.

[karlrschneider]

38. I wasn't specifically referring to any particular person.

If the shoe fits, as they say. Look, I have no problem with Muslims as a group...just as I have no special irk with Jews, Christians, Hindus, etc. But there are individuals who happen to be "one of" any of those groups who are just assholes. I can't imagine anyone denying that simple fact.

[magellan]

39. I can't imagine anyone denying that simple fact either

I just disagree that these imams are the "disruptive assholes" you believe they are.

[karlrschneider]

40. Well, I read all the accounts. That was my conclusion.

I'm not a bigot by any stretch but their behavior was way out of bounds. It'll be a cold day in hell before I change my opinion.

[magellan]

60. Whatever, my friend

I didn't attack your opinion; it was the other way around.

[Name removed]

41. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[karlrschneider]

42. I have a suggestion for you. If you suspect I'm a bigot or racist, let me know

in person. My email is [e-mail]

Many DUers know I use my real name here. I don't hide behind a pseudonym or 'handle'. What you see from me is what you get. My only agenda is truth, fact and reality. Not everyone appreciates it...and to the extent that occurs isn't my problem.

edit: If you reply I won't see it until tomorrow evening...I have to fly some Republicans to Chicago in the morning. Beddy bye time.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

62. You mean...

I just imagined those posts where you called all muslims morons?

[Deja Q]

37. *ding* *ding* *ding*

:applause:

Not all are bad guys but not all are good guys. And nobody here has been in the courtroom to get the information, reactions, body language, and other things firsthand. Yet it's amazing to read who is blindly pro-imams and anti-imams and otherwise; and some good responses have been shot down by the pro-imam lot, solely because they're muslim. I don't think that's right and it's giving DUers a bad name too - what happened to getting all the facts and it's nice to see more than one stolid point of view being displayed.

Just because one points out "it may be a hoax" and cites a reasonably fair source doesn't mean the person is racist or anything else associated with freepers. That's just asinine, myopic, obtuse, and short-sighted.

"Reverse prejudice", is that the term? Where every positive-oriented stereotype is used to counter every negative stereotype. What the frig happened to 'the truth is in the middle'? (I posted something similar regarding another issue recently and I'm not sure I want to read the remarks... so many people are one-dimensional and refusing to think of perspectives and possibilities it's beyond belief...)

Again, as time and the trial goes by we'll know more. Nobody should be taking sides one way or the other.

[Leopolds Ghost]

43. What about "Every fucking African"? "Every fucking Atheist"?

Some of them are assholes too, you know. Just like Idi Amin. And Stalin.

If you had declared "why do you have to defend "Every f*cking Jew?" your post would be rightly considered anti-Semitic. As it is, well... arabs are semitic peoples too, so yes, it should rub people the wrong way for you to make those statements. There ARE people out there who want to do to Arabs what Hitler did. Put them in camps, turn their homes into glass, etc. So it's not a false comparison.

All because 19 guys from a country we are allied to, operating on the orders of a family friend of the Bush regime, betrayed his military sponsors, began advertising himself as some sort of Lex Luthor supervillain, and killed 3,000 Americans to get media attention (and we promptly responded in kind to this mass murderer.)

If six anti-war Nuns had been thrown off a plane for loudly and vociferously criticising Bush, requesting seat-belt extensions, praying the rosary, I wonder how you would have reacted.

[babylonsister]

45. Thank you! The argument is bullshit, and I'm glad you piped in. nt

[Hunky Dunky]

52. Sure they can complain

But we all know that this is a baseless suit. No merit. A frivilous suit for the purpose of gathering attention. Using the court system to gather attention about their religion. It's prostelitizing on the publics dime. I have no desire to have my money wasted in order to call attention to that politico-religion known as islam. I find it abhorrent.

[Richard Steele]

54. Speak for yourself. This "we all know" stuff is nonsense. "WE" don't know that at all.

"We all know" that this is prostelytizing on the public's dime?
I don't think so. And you don't KNOW that either, unless you
are one of the six Imams in question.

You don't speak for me, so please stop pretending that you do.

Given that they were released without any charges filed,
I think it's perfecly reasonable for a Court of Law to decide
whether it was appropriate to remove them in the first place.

[LostinVA]

58. What "own house," pray tell?

[Richard Steele]

59. Insert *stock audio of cricket noises* HERE. nm

[951-Riverside]

44. If I saw 6 of these guys on my flight I would say screw it and leave

I am the type of person that heads in the other direction whenever I see a large group of young blacks, certain types of Latinos or Whites hanging out for no particular reason. I refuse to put myself in a bad situation because of political correctness.

[BlooInBloo]

47. LOLOL! And people wonder what's wrong with our country.

[verse18]

53. If I got on a plane with a group of 6 white men dress in suits

I would say screw it and leave. I am the type of person that heads in the other direction whenever I see a large group of middle-aged white businessmen hanging out for no particular reason. They could be planning to steal my pension, my savings and/or my taxes. I refuse to put myself in a bad situation because of political correctness.

:eyes:

[ecstatic]

57. oh please

@ the last minute inclusion of "whites" in your post. LOL.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

61. I know exactly what you mean.

I won't get on an airliner if it's got more than five people on it.

:crazy:

[ellisonz]

46. K & R

Let the courts figure it out.

[jberryhill]

51. Jewish man removed from airplane for praying

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2006/09/05/qc-hasidicprayeronplane.html?ref=rss