Becket Fund asks Court to Remove John Does from Flying Imams CaseAug 1, 2007 Brief Denounces Attempt to "Hijack" Courts as "Legal Terrorism" 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. To read the brief, click here. In March, the Becket Fund sent two letters to CAIR, chiding them for adding the John Does to the complaint and asking them to immediately remove the Does from the lawsuit. The first letter, sent on March 23, denounced the lawsuit. It can be read here. The second letter, sent on March 29, replied to CAIR’s inadequate response. It can be found here. To make a tax-deductible donation to the Becket Fund, click here. Resources & Documents
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