Imams May Sue US Airways Passengers

Many of you will remember last year's news story of a group of Imams who were removed from an airplane after passengers and U.S. Airways staff reported strange behavior. The six imams are suing the airline, claiming they did nothing strange and that U.S. Airways' claims are false. It appears they are also trying to decide if they should sue some of their fellow passengers. (See FOXNews.com report.) Their reason for suing is the belief that some passengers acted out of personal prejudice and not because they witnessed suspicious behavior.

I have very mixed feelings over such a case. On one hand we do not need people calling the cops just because they are uncomfortable with how someone looks. But on the other hand people who witness suspicious behavior of any kind should contact authorities and should be able to do so without fear they might be punished because someone thinks they had ulterior motives.

I do not know what happened last year as I was not there. Was this a case of passengers and airline staff overreacting or did this group give reason to believe they needed to be reported? The courts will decide the answer to that question in the case the Imams are filing against the airline. But if the passengers themselves are sued the events of last year may have a chilling affect on anyone who might think about reporting suspicious behavior.

Independent Conservative linked with, "Lying Flying Imams May Sue Passengers..."