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Thursday, June 28, 2007

Federal Judge In Minneapolis Will Not withhold Information From Public.

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posted by Bob at Thursday, June 28, 2007

3 Comments:

Blogger Bob said...

Minneapolis / Judge won't hear imams' case behind closed doors
Lawyer asked that media, public be barred
BY AMY FORLITI
Associated Press
Article Last Updated: 06/27/2007 10:22:04 PM CDT


A federal judge overseeing a lawsuit filed by six Muslim men who were removed from a US Airways flight in the fall has declined to limit public access to the case.

Omar T. Mohammedi, a New York attorney for the six Muslim scholars, said Wednesday he sought limited media access because he felt some coverage of the case has been biased against his clients.

"When you think of the media, and the way they have been portraying this case, it has not been very helpful. It has been biased," Mohammedi said. "That has caused a lot of stress, a lot of stress on our clients, as well as made it difficult for us to handle this case ... in a manner that it should be handled."

Mohammedi's clients are six imams - Islamic religious leaders - who were removed from a US Airways flight at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport last fall after passengers reported what they thought was suspicious behavior. The imams, who were handcuffed and questioned, claim the airline discriminated against them and violated their civil rights.

The complaint seeks an undisclosed amount of money for punitive and compensatory damages. Besides US Airways, the lawsuit names other defendants, including the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which owns the airport, and John Does, who could later be identified as passengers.

In a letter dated Tuesday and addressed to Mohammedi, U.S. District Judge Ann Montgomery noted Mohammedi had requested that the court remove members of the media from an electronic distribution list, bar members of the media from attending hearings and hold proceedings in closed sessions.
"The Court declines to treat this case in the extraordinary manner that you request," the judge wrote. She added that the public and media have an interest in full access to judicial proceedings under the First Amendment.

"You have provided no legal authority supporting your request to limit public access to this case," Montgomery wrote. "While it is regrettable that anonymous individuals have threatened violence, the Court Security Officers will insure (sic) that the United States Courthouse here in Minneapolis is secure."

The judge's letter was entered in the case file, and it noted that further communications on the matter should also be filed through the court's electronic database.

The letters previously submitted on the issue were filed off the record and were not made public. Montgomery said through a law clerk that she would have no comment beyond her letter.

Mohammedi said he and his clients have received death threats, partly because of biased coverage by most media outlets. He cited a March 30 Associated Press story and headline that he claimed did not accurately reflect his conversation with a reporter.

The story in question explored whether the lawsuit would discourage future airline travelers from speaking up when they see something unusual. The story included information from Mohammedi, as well as different points of view from security officials and from a lawyer who offered to represent passengers who might be named as defendants in the lawsuit.

"We are just asking the media to be balanced and reflect what was said ... and to let justice take its course," Mohammedi said Wednesday. "I'm asking the media to be a little bit more responsible in reporting the facts of the case. That actually would prevent a lot of issues."

At A Glance

No media: Omar Mohammedi, an attorney for six Muslims who were taken off a US Airways plane in the fall, had asked that public access in the case be limited.

Reason for request: Mohammedi said media coverage of the case has been biased and he and his clients have received threats.

Judge says no: U.S. District Judge Ann Montgomery said in a letter that she would decline "to treat this case in the extraordinary manner that you requested" and that court security officers will make sure the courthouse is secure.

8:54 AM  
Blogger Bob said...

Hi All,

I posted this story because it says something about our local federal courts. The federal judge in this case felt it was important not to keep information from the media and public. She believes in Constitutional Rights.

I am sure the City attorney would like the RICO cases to have some restrictions on public information.

I believe it is in the publics interest to have access to information that may concern all of us. Especially when it involves government officials like in these RICO suits against the City of Saint Paul.

1:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The people will prevail!

12:06 AM  

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