Flying imams lawsuit update: Leave the John Does alone Update: Imams backing down?
The Becket Fund has filed an amicus brief on behalf of the citizen John Doe whistleblowers targeted by the flying imams:
Today the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty will file an amicus brief asking the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota to dismiss all claims against the unnamed defendants (“John Does”) who reported the suspicious activity of six imams aboard a US Airways Flight in November. The brief argues that to allow the suit to go forward against the Does would result in a chilling effect, lessening the likelihood that similar activity would be reported in the future and potentially endangering the lives of American citizens. The brief relies in part on the recent legislation passed by Congress, which shields John Does who report suspicious behavior aboard an airplane.
In its 12-year history the Becket Fund has represented clients from Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim and other traditions. This is, however, the first time they have ever opposed someone’s claim of religious discrimination. “We had no choice,” said Kevin J. “Seamus” Hasson, President of the Becket Fund. “The Imams’ tactic of targeting ordinary citizens was giving the whole idea of religious freedom a black eye. We had to do what we could to put a stop to it.”
The Becket Fund has also offered to defend, free of charge, any of the private-citizen Does named in the lawsuit, should the case against them go forward.
Here is the PDF of the brief.
Update: Are the flying imams backing down?
Six imams removed from a U.S. Airways plane said they would not sue the passengers whose concerns led them to being kicked off a flight in November.
In federal court Tuesday, the attorney for the imams said, “We don’t contemplate naming any private passenger as a defendant.”After being removed from their flight, the imams sued the airport, the airline and ‘John Does,’ which left open the possibility of suing anonymous passengers.
The attorney for one of the passengers says the imams’ offer comes only as congress is about to give immunity to those reporting suspicious behavior.
“The offer is only made after congress passes the immunity provision with the threat of assessing fees and costs against parties suing those making reports in good faith,” Gerry Nolting said.
***
Frank Gaffney follows up on the John Doe protection passed in Congress, noting: “There seems, by the way, to be ample support for tightening the legislation further should CAIR try to use its ‘good faith’ proviso to continue to hector public-spirited Americans.”
Stay vigilant.
***
LGF spots a telling little photoshopped image overlayed on a US flag over on the CAIR website. Take a look.
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Wow, the “Capitol as a Mosque” graphic is pretty sickening. Any way you can get O’Reilly to show that graphic on the Factor?
I am grateful that the John Does have gotten support and it has made a difference. We are certainly going to have to stay vigilant.
CAIR’s capitol makes it pretty evident what their goals are. How blatant can they get? Apparently they have to qualms about being open about their aims in the US. When are Americans going to wake up to this threat?
I still think these 6 Imams should have been charged with public disruption or similar charges, even terrorism (all reports indicate they intended to put fear into the passengers). As long as we continue to allow it islam will continue to probe us for weakness. What happens when they find that weakness??
Great news for the John Does, and a great day for those of us who want to report suspicious activity without worrying about whether we’ll lose our house and life savings.
As for CAIR, it’s no surprise to me. It should be “CAUIR” – Council for Americans Under Islamic Rule. I second PBoilermaker above, MM. If at all possible get this on O’Reilly’s show (or any show).
If you have a blog, post it. We need to start giving CAIR the same hard time it gives everyone who so much as looks at a Muslim funny.
We need to investigate their ties. We cannot let their politically correct supporters or their power intimidate us. If we fail to reign in their support of shari’a creep and the Islamitization of public schools, it will be OUR heads (literally and figuratively).
The attempt (more than a mere threat) to sue the people who complained at the outrageous behavior of the 6 imams was just the first move. Over at Hot Air (Michelle’s other blog), CAIR is trying to make critic Robert Spencer shut up by threatening to sue the Young America’s Foundation if they allow Spencer to address them.
CAIR needs to understand that this is STILL the United States of America, and not the Islamic Republic of America, and that their heavy-handed anti-freedom of expressions tactics not only lessen the likelihood of that ever happening in the future, but provide a lesson of what life under Shaira would be like.
My advice to CAIR (and their 1700 members) is to fold their tent, pack their burnooses, and take their Hamas-supporting selves back to the middle east where their viewpoints might find more acceptance.
Oh, and a departing thought:
Imagine if the USCCB put out an image of the White House with a Crucifix on the front or top of it. The left, especially the “seperation of church and state” people would go crazy.
Why is this – a clear indication that CAIR hopes to turn American into an Islamic government – ignored?
As noted on LGF, the “photoshopped” image of the US Capitol appears to be the image of a real mosque in Brunei. Move on, nothing to see…
You mean the same O’Reilly who thinks that the student at Pace University should be charged with hate crimes for dunking a terrorists handbook, Koran, in the toilet???
Sorry Bill is wrong in his stance on that issue so I wouldn’t look for any attention from him.
As threatening as the implied suit against the John Does, I’m still having a difficult time finding cause for the suits against the airport and airlines as well. While going through security if any of us said anything about a bomb, explosive, or haha-looks like I forgot my boxcutter, we’d not only be detained but arrested. If you’ve had too much to drink and appear visibly drunk, you’re not allowed to board an aircraft. If your children are acting up, you and the kids are gone…but, disruptive and bizarre behavior is to be tolerated?
Well, that and the fact that the photo isn’t what we thought would preclude its use.
Yep. The very same O’Reilly who does not mention the hostages but has a stupid culture quiz.
This image is no surprise considering Islam is now the choice of religion in public schools and politicians now are sworn in with the koran.
Sorry – religion of choice
So what is this new angle? Is John Doe getting too close to passage?
NeoConNews – IMHO, if you cannot skin a critter one way you attempt to do it another. CAIR wasn’t able to intimidate the John Does enough for them to change their stories. Soooo, let’s have a go at it by going after another free speech issue. Sadly, Robt. Spencer has been in their crosshairs for years. Next week it’ll be someone else….actually, they’ve had a really good week with the charges being filed against the book chucker.
That makes sense. They’re taking the path of least resistance. And who knows, they could always fabricate another incident if this push for the John Doe legislation calms down.
LGF is reporting that the imams are not actually backing down. I thought it sounded too good to be true.
Sound like Congress needs to close the “good faith” loophole that CAIR is exploiting.
FireDrake #17 – Just read the same thing. Would seem that CAIR is not as willing to let this thing go as we had hoped. I’m not at all sure the “John Doe bill” is actually passed either. The wording I read is not at all reassuring. Any voting critter had best see that it’s reworded or the wrath of communications is going to torture them again. Never mind the nagging calls to their offices. Some congresscritters are going to get umpteen more e-mails on the morror.
If I was “John Doe” today would be a good day for me to file papers of a counter-suit naming the Flying Imams and CAIR for monetary damages incurred by me for legal council. And a second suit heaped with a whole lot of dollars for mental anguish!