The lawsuit contends that Ahmed’s Fourth and 14th amendment rights were violated, which included the student being taken out of the school in handcuffs and suspended for three days.
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The suit alleges the boy as targeted for his race and religion, according to media reports. As with any legal matter of this nature, attorneys for the school district will review the filing and respond as appropriate.
As WFAA previously reported, Mohamed’s lawsuit seeks $15 million in damages and demands an apology from district officials.
“Irving ISD continues to deny violating the student’s rights and will respond to claims in accordance with court rules”, the statement said.
In the aftermath of the arrest, Ahmed and his family moved to Qatar after the teen accepted an offer from the Qatar Foundation to study at its Young Innovators Program. He said it was an alarm clock, but was told by the teacher that she would hold the contraption for him. After receiving so much publicity because of the incident, the Mohameds said they were being threatened with violence and made a decision to move to Qatar.
For the safety of my family, I have to go back to Qatar.
“I’ve matured more. It’s normal to mature but I’ve matured way more since I got a little bit of publicity, and I’m happy for it”, Mohamed said.
His parents, Mohamed Elhassan Mohamed and Muna Ibrahim, have not found work in Qatar and so the family of eight is living in government housing and on food vouchers.
The suit also says the state of Texas, including the school district, “has a history of discrimination against Muslims in Texas curriculum and schools”.
Mohamed is a Muslim, and his lawyers have said that his civil rights were violated. “When we have given in to fear and hate, we flounder”.
The suit adds, “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”.
Ahmed was arrested on September 14.
Hours later, Mohamed was pulled from class and arrested by police.
“The anti-Muslim sentiment made official policy by the Texas State Board of Education in 2010 and adopted by the IISD Trustees as reflected in their 2012 “investigation” of the curriculum to ferret out pro-Islam textbook references, reflects a bias that permeated IISD and contributed to the unwarranted discipline of Ahmed Mohamed”, states the lawsuit.
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The teenager said he did not lock the box as he “did not want it to look suspicious”.
