New Jersey Muslims Respond to NYPD’s Attempt to Dismiss Discriminatory Spying Case

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January 26, 2013, Newark, New Jersey - Yesterday evening, the plaintiffs in Hassan, et al. v. City of New York, the federal lawsuit challenging the New York City Police Department’s discriminatory spying program targeting American Muslims, responded to the City’s motion to dismiss the case. Hassan is the first direct legal challenge brought by a broad group of American Muslims from a variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds who have been victims of discriminatory police surveillance by the NYPD. Their claims are primarily based on their right to equal protection under the law and the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom to worship. The plaintiffs’ response argues that the court should reject the City’s assertion that the events of 9/11 justify broad surveillance of any and all New Jersey Muslims, without any indication of wrongdoing. The court’s ruling on the motion will decide whether the case can go forward. 

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