Muslim Imams Lose Bid To Limit Public Access In Airline Lawsuit

A federal judge overseeing a lawsuit filed by six Muslim instigators who were removed from a U-S Airways flight has declined to limit public access to the case. Judge Ann Montgomery rejected a request she remove members of the media from an electronic distribution list, bar members of the media from attending hearings, and hold proceedings in closed session.Omar T. Mohammedi is an attorney for the six imams. He tells The Associated Press he sought limited media access because he felt some coverage has been biased against his clients. He says that's put stress on them and made it harder to handle the case. Mohammedi's clients were removed from a U-S Airways flight in Minneapolis last fall after passengers reported what they thought was suspicious behavior. The imams claim the airline violated their civil rights.