Appeal filed in suit over police spying on Muslims
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A group of Muslims from New Jersey is appealing a federal judge's ruling that the New York City Police Department's surveillance of Muslims did not violate their civil rights.
Attorneys with Muslim Advocates and the Center for Constitutional Rights filed the appeal Friday over the dismissal of a 2012 lawsuit brought by eight Muslims who alleged the NYPD conducted unconstitutional surveillance based on religion, national origin and race.
U.S. District Judge William Martini ruled last month that the NYPD's activities were part of a lawful effort to prevent terrorism. He says Muslims had filed suit in reaction to a series of stories by The Associated Press that revealed the NYPD's secret activities.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs say the judge's ruling gives legal sanction to religious discrimination by law enforcement.
