Muslim teen arrested for bringing clock to US school files lawsuit
The family of Ahmed Mohamed, the American Muslim boy from Texas who was arrested by police after his teacher mistook his homemade clock for a bomb, has sued school officials and others saying his civil rights were violated.
The federal lawsuit was filed on behalf of Mohamed, who was arrested at MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas in September of last year and charged with having a hoax bomb.
Police later dropped the charge, but he was still suspended. His arrest highlighted how minorities and Muslims suffer racism and Islamaphobia in America.
The lawsuit was filed against Irving Independent School District (ISD), the city of Irving and the school's principal on Monday.
Lesley Weaver, the spokeswoman of Irving administration, said in a statement that district attorneys will review the lawsuit and determine a course of action.
"Irving ISD continues to deny violating the student's rights and will respond to claims in accordance with court rules," she said, adding that school officials should not further comment on the incident.
Last year, Mohamed along with his family moved to Qatar to continue his education after the Persian Gulf state offered him a scholarship. Last month, he traveled back to the US to visit family and friends.
Mohamed’s family accused the school of mistreating the boy due to his religion, Islam, but the district has denied the claim.
Mohamed was a victim of systemic discrimination by the school district and state Board of Education that has targeted Muslims and other minority groups, the lawsuit stated.
It added that the officers, who arrested the boy without probable cause, violated his right to equal protection under the law.
"History tells us that when we have stood tall and proud for equality and freedom, we have grown as a nation," the suit said. "When we have given in to fear and hate, we flounder."
"In the case of Ahmed Mohamed, we have the opportunity to take a stand for equality and for justice, two things that should prevail above all else,” it continued.
Mohamed’s story brought an outpouring of support from scientists, politicians and celebrities including Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg.
More than a month after the incident, President Barack Obama invited the boy to bring his clock to the White House.
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