Raided Muslim Charity Challenges Patriot Act
Charles Johnson
Mon Nov 27, 2006 at 11:15 am PST • Views: 379
The Islamic charity Life for Relief and Development, raided in September by the FBI, has filed a suit challenging the Patriot Act’s provision for banks to share data about suspected terrorist activity: Raided Muslim Charity Sues Bank. (Hat tip: Dan Riehl.)
DETROIT (AP) — A Muslim charity raided by federal agents in September has sued a bank, saying it violated the charity’s civil rights by planning to close its accounts.
The charity, Life for Relief and Development, also seeks an injunction to stop Comerica Bank from giving other banks any information it might have about the organization. The charity is challenging the constitutionality of a section of the Patriot Act, which allows financial institutions to share information about suspected money laundering or terrorist activity.
Comerica had told the charity that it planned to terminate the accounts Nov. 15, but granted an extension, according to the lawsuit. Comerica Vice President Kathy Pitton declined to comment on the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in federal court.
Frank says: