Imams Kicked Off Flight May Sue Passengers

Six Muslim Men Suing US Airways Threaten Lawsuit Against Passengers Who Complained

(AP)  Six Muslim men removed from a plane last fall after being accused of suspicious behavior are suing the airline and threatening to sue 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 listed as “possible defendants” 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 belt extenders with heavy buckles and stowed them under their seats; that they were moving about and conferring with each other during boarding; and that they sat separately in seats scattered through the cabin.

The plane was cleared for a security sweep, nothing was found, and the jet took off without the imams.

The Muslim clerics say they were humiliated, and are seeking unspecified damages from the airline, the Minneapolis airport and, potentially, the John Does.

Omar Mohammedi, the New York City attorney for the imams, said the intent is not to go after passengers who raise valid concerns about security. But he suggested some passengers may have acted in bad faith out of prejudice.

“As an attorney, I have seen a lot of abuse by the general public when it comes to members of the community creating stories that do not exist,” Mohammedi said.

He denied the imams were talking about Saddam, and said that their seats were assigned and that they requested extenders because their seat belts didn't fit.

Some fear such lawsuits could weaken what has become the first line of defense against terrorism since Sept. 11 — an alert public. At airports and train and subway stations around the country, travelers are routinely warned to watch for unattended bags and suspicious activity and to notify authorities.

Ellen Howe, spokeswoman for the Transportation Security Administration, which oversees security at all U.S. airports, would not comment specifically on the imams' lawsuit. But she said the TSA counts on passengers to help the agency do its job.

“`See something, say something' is certainly a common mantra in this day and age,” Howe said. “We would always remind passengers to be both vigilant and thoughtful.”

In reaction to the imams' lawsuit, Congress has taken steps to legally protect passengers who report suspicious activity. Earlier this week, the House approved an amendment to a rail transportation security bill that would make passengers immune from such lawsuits, unless they say something they know is false.

Mohammedi said he has not yet identified any of the complaining passengers. An airport police report listed a passenger and two US Airways employees as complaining about the imams. All three had their names blacked out before the lawsuit was filed by invoking a Minnesota law that allows it, airport spokesman Pat Hogan said.

Nolting said he has been contacted by several potential John Does.

Passenger Pat Snelson, who lives in a Twin Cities suburb, said he and his wife were not among those who reported suspicious behavior. But he said his wife noticed the men praying, and he saw them moving around the cabin while others were boarding.

“These guys were up to no good,” Snelson said. “We think the airport people did a real good job in taking care of it.”

Bomb-sniffing dogs examined the men and their baggage. FBI agents and other federal law enforcement officers questioned the men for several hours before releasing them.

Billie Vincent, a former director of security for the Federal Aviation Administration, said he is troubled by the mere attempt to identify the passengers who raised concerns.

Airline passengers “are your eyes and your ears,” said Vincent, who now owns an aviation security company. “If attorneys can get those names and sue them, you put a chilling effect on the whole system.”

[kiddo88]

"Slay the idolaters wherever you find them. Arrest them, besiege them, and lie in ambush everywhere for them...Make war on them: God will chastise them at your hands and humble them..." 9:5-15 from the Koran. This is their faith! This book even goes further, repeatedly claiming "those who have embraced the Faith, and left their homes, and fought for God's cause with their wealth and with their persons, are held in higher regard by God." repeatedly. In 9:39 it says, "If you do not go to war, He will punish you sternly, and will replace you by other men..."! look it up! these are the words of the Prophet. Christ save us.

[palmerboxing]

Hello Folks , I guess some people may over react which can result in their imagination becoming stretched , but depending on the circumstances the time and place & location of their thoughts it is reasonable to expect that people should at least be prepared to submit their thoughts and observations to the appropriate authority, and then allow that authority to take any action they so desire. In this fast changing world of ours today with the ever increasing worries with arab muslims consistently becoming the subject of adverse discussion , I really wonder where it will all end. I am not an arab or a muslim, but with their way of life & what they are required to do with their particular faith , it appears to me there is no other solution but build prayer rooms for these people on aeroplanes, as they do get prayer rooms built in almost every other part of society , such as at public entertainment areas all over the world , and if this is required , so let it be , perhaps this may smooth over a sensitive situation.

[omergarland]

Personally, I find that Americans are ignorant of the customs of other cultures. This ignorance is by choice. As for all the immigrants going home, fine. Superpatr, return to the land of your ancestors as well, most likely England or Scotland. Your family immigrated here, just like everyone else. The only reason you are a citizen is because your ancestors took this land from its previous inhabitants by the use of violence and force. Hmmm, sounds familiar.

[tucson23]

By all means, ignorant and paranoid people should be sued. Perhaps they'll learn that not everyone in the world has the same culture as them, and that doesn't make those people scary and dangerous. Americans are uniquely ignorant of other cultures, and are easily the most self-important and under-educated people in the western world. Sue them for their own good.

[me4prezz]

Next time they try to sue you - promise them that if they do, there will be a boxcutter across their throats, even if you don't mean it. After all, that is their kind of justice and mercy.

You don't like it here, Islamonazis - please go home. Maybe Botox Nan, Murtha and Webb want you -but common sense Americans - the true majority - don't.
Posted by Superpatr898 at 04:01 PM : Apr 01, 2007

And by doing that, in what why are you any different than the terrorists themselves? Hatred only buys you more hatred and hatred ends up in things like 9/11. If you want that cycle to continue, by all means, continue the hatred of a nation and faith of millions on the actions of a few. I, however, would like to believe that my children will grow up understanding that you can blame a person for their actions and you can not like what a person does, but you cannot and should not blame an entire people for those actions for what has that behavior gotten us throughout history? The holocaust, Pearl Harbor, 9/11, wars, hate crimes, slavery, and more. Where does it end?

[me4prezz]

me4prezz, I guess I should have made it a bit more concise, I meant quit using religion as an excuse to go after other countries, be honest about it; bush wanted OIL, it has shown that it's policies are of no concern to others who do the actual fighting. It is the great decider, king of all it can see, touch, taste, or feel. Too often we use religion as a safety guard against the REAL reasons we do what we do, be it war or racism. Remember the reasons we got the land from the Native Americans? They were portrayed as "savages", no better than animals, but in truth, they were and are to this day, the safest and most sane culture around.
Posted by knyghtwolf at 06:57 PM : Apr 01, 2007

I agree that Bush had/has oil in mind and is funding a private retirement off the fear and anger brought about by 9/11 and on the lives of American soldiers. I also agree about the Native Americans, but I believe they were portrayed as savages because they were different from us. This is probably stupid, but there is a song in Pocahontas (sorry, I have 3 kids and a 9 year old sister), but there are lyrics that say "Savages, savages, barely even human....they are different from us, which means they can't be trusted..., now we sounds the drums of war...". Those lyrics aren't too far off the mark now are they?

Your explanation is much better the 2nd time.

[mdee5]

It seems reasonable to me that these men are "Testing" the waters by their behavior. If passengers didn't report such behavior over time, we could see a repeat of 911. All people of all faiths,including Muslim should be happy that people are looking out for your welfare.

[irkulyen]

Question: What do Muslims pray for? They do it five times a day. That's a lot of praying. Do they pray for peace? For tolerence? For the well being of all humanity? Prayer is a private matter. Making a big show of your obedience to God in public is obnoxious and invites ridicule. Should the airlines install special prayer decks to accomodate their Muslim customers? Making a major fuss over passengers' justifiable alarm shows how little humility they have.

[knyghtwolf]

me4prezz, I guess I should have made it a bit more concise, I meant quit using religion as an excuse to go after other countries, be honest about it; bush wanted OIL, it has shown that it's policies are of no concern to others who do the actual fighting. It is the great decider, king of all it can see, touch, taste, or feel. Too often we use religion as a safety guard against the REAL reasons we do what we do, be it war or racism. Remember the reasons we got the land from the Native Americans? They were portrayed as "savages", no better than animals, but in truth, they were and are to this day, the safest and most sane culture around.

[newton221]

They were up to no good? This guy still thinks this after the truth comes out? I mean what can you say about such an ignorant statement.

[klingon69]

Well, sammybear, if you are so embarrased to be an American, I am sure Iran or some other middle-eastern country will be glad to accept you in their population.

[gunnerone2]

Unusual behavior of this nature needs to be reported. The passengers did the correct thing. Congress is working on granting immunity to passengers who report such activities. Honest mistakes can be made but better that than not reporting something that leads to death.

[me4prezz]

"PLEASE !! If you cant walk a mile in someones shoes, at least admit that you dont know what you would have done if you were in the same situation !!!"

I freely admit that I don't know what I would in that situation. I do know that it is not okay to continue on the same path America is going and the hatred, fear, and prejudiced behavior and speech that has happened since 9/11 and is the same reaction that has occurred time and again. For example, after Pearl Harbor, Americans put Japenese-Americans in a form of concentration camp because of the actions of a government that was no longer theirs. Why? Fear. Fear breeds anger. Anger breeds hatred. Hatred breeds the recurrent cycle that brought about the events of 9/11. Let's lose the hatred and regain the meaning of American freedom. Fear can be healthy and it can save us and sustain us, but we should never let it guide us as it has since 9/11.

[me4prezz]

"Would you wonder why a man who weighs 150 lbs, requests a seat extension?"
Did they weight 150 pounds? Someone can not weight much, but have a big stomach. My family shows that every Thanksgiving.

"It's fine to give someone the benefit of doubt, but unfortunately at times, this emotion could get you KILLED !!!"

Yes, it could. But if we let our lives be overrun with fear, what kind of life is that? 9/11 was uncomparably horrific; both in the magnitude of it all and in the apparent suddenness of the attack. However, where do we draw the line on fear and hatred? If we report every action of every person that resembles or in some reminds us of 9/11; discriminate, persecute and otherwise codemn them for something they didn't control (it was a group of religious radicals who do not represent the muslim community as a whole who commited the atrocities of 9/11); where does it end?

It doesn't. That is where. What kind of life then are we teaching our children? That it is okay to be American as long as you are not in immigrant, as long as you pray behind closed doors where no one can see you, as long you hide your faith and hide your native background. Freedom isn't exclusive to the lucky few who who chose what being an American is? "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that ALL MEN are created equal...". That doesn't mean all nonpracticing or atheist upper to middle class reformists.

[me4prezz]

would DARE any of you to be in the same scenario ...... waiting to board a plane, and have these muslims lay out a carpet and fall to their knees and begin to chant.

Would you just be "tolerant"?
Posted by Dowjones20k at 08:38 AM : Apr 01, 2007

They were praying. I have prayed in some weird places, but I don't expect to be considered a possible terrorist for expressing my faith. So, yes, I would be. But, that is my own personal statement and it holds true for no one else but me. I will not and cannot speak for anyone else.

"Would you not have some reservations on what the heck was going on?"
Posted by Dowjones20k at 08:38 AM : Apr 01, 2007

Probably, but unless they did more than request seatbelt extenders and pray, I would leave it alone. The hijackers of 9/11 had been planning that attack since the late 1990s. It was calculated and well-planned, but there were many more warning signs with those hijackers than there were these gentleman, which is why the security at airports as increased tenfold.

[me4prezz]

We just need to go back to remedy, without religion, government or politics, just people.
Posted by knyghtwolf at 11:32 AM : Apr 01, 2007

What are people without anything to fight for or believe in? You take away religion, politics, government and everything else and leave just the people, what is there? I can do without the politics and the government (at least a corrupt one), but would you keep faith and spirituality in lieu of religion or do you consider all of that religion? If so, what is a person without faith? Humans need to have faith in something. That is what gives us purpose. We go to work with the faith that we will get paid to pay our bills. We raise our children with the faith that they will be good people. We elect our officials with the faith that they will do what they were elected to do (hasn't happened recently, but I sill have faith...LOL).

As for the government, I am just going to issue a bumperstick that says "The office of the President of the United States is a not for profit organization". Anyone interested....

[knyghtwolf]

I am not going to sue them for anything, I just let it go and was done with them. Many want to immigrate here for a better life which means that they need to leave their attitudes and issues with other cultures checked at the door. When you come here, apply for citizenship, you are applying for the right to be an AMERICAN, with established laws already in place, freedoms that you never had where you lived before. Which means that some of the IDEALISMS you had before won't work here. And for the record, because you are disabled does not mean you can't defend yourself, I have had to prove this TWICE, and both times it was very painful & costly for the persons involved, not me. Be they structured rights or natural rights, there are boundaries to observe and be aware of, and if you cross these boundaries, be prepared to either be open-minded & learn or go to jail and possibly a hospital. We just need to go back to remedy, without religion, government or politics, just people.

[bobfishinguy]

I am sure the 9/11 hijackers did plenty of suspicious things on their flights, and the passengers "respected their rights", "minded their own business" and if they had spoken up, probably would have been ignored.

If you don't like the post 9/11 world, spew your anger on THE TERRORISTS!

I remember the outpouring of anger against the terrorists from the muslim world on 9/11/2001, don't you? No? Has the "liberal media" brainwashed you with images of Muslims dancing in the streets at the sight of innocent people falling to their death?

I'm going to continue turning suspicious behaviour into the authorities at the airport, and you can go ahead and sue me.

This is no longer the land of the free? Too bad, go back to where you can be free, whatever sand hole you got thrown out of.

[knyghtwolf]

I was eating in a restaurant one time enjoying a buffet lunch. I have a service dog, because of two issues not related to each other, mobility and balance are hard for me to maintain so I use a dog, very well trained and very well behaved. There was a Muslim family that came in shortly after I did and when they got their food, they sat down and in a few minutes of eating, they noticed the dog. The man got up from his table, approached me and demanded that I remove the dog from his presence & restaurant while his family dined, naturlly I said no. he approached the manager and wanted him to make me leave, the manager said no that it was against federal law to do so and that he could be sued if did it. The muslim man called the police on his cell and told them that a man and dog were harassing him at this restaurant, threatening his family and himself. Of course after the police showed up, and the truth was out, the police did nothing to family because of not wanting to upset them, but I wanted an apology from the man and the police did insist that he do so, or they would have to file a report and I could sue the guy in civil court. They left, without paying, and insulting comments flowed from their mouths like water. Another case for cultural insanity? Hardly, I told them to go home, back where they came from so they could eat in peace. Now they want to sue me for saying that to them. It will never happen but why should it ever be a possibility?

[knyghtwolf]

I gave up on christianity and structured religion a long time ago, I believe in a higher power, god or whatever you want to call it but I do not label it. My church is my heart & soul. If people on both sides, would truly practice what they preach, this world would not be the way it is today. The situation that exists today is because we, the people, let it happen,we the people, did nothing to stop it,we the people, just hide where ever we can find a place that no one can reach us, and that too, is running out of space. king george speaks for America now, if you disagree, you are labeled anti-american & possibly a terrorist, if you speak your mind and desire truth, change, accountability, REALITY, or just plain answers, you are labeled weak & a conspiracy theorist because our government would never be the cause of 9/11, check your history folks, many MANY governments in the past have done very similar things to their own just like 9/11 and blamed others for it, Nazi Germany comes to mind on that one. Keep running in that hammester wheel for answers and you will gain nothing but exhaustion. YOU want TRUTH, go out and get it for YOURSELF, trust your own instincts and not some faceless government expert. Have a nice day.