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Clock Boy’s Family Files Civil Rights Suit, Truth Revolt, Sarah Fisher, August 9, 2016

The family of Ahmed Mohamed has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Texas school administration for suspending the teenager when he brought a clock to school that looked suspiciously like a bomb. The family claims the disciplinary action violated the teen’s rights and forced them to leave the United States.

Mohamed said he wanted to show the “clock” to his English teacher.

The lawsuit names Irving Independent School District, the city of Irving and the school’s principal, and asks a jury to determine the damages. In November, the family asked the district and city to pay $15 million or else face a suit. District spokeswoman Lesley Weaver said in a statement Monday that attorneys for the district will review the suit 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 for now will have no further comment.

The family has since moved to Qatar, where Mohamed was offered a scholarship to study. He was briefly in U.S. this summer to visit family and file a lawsuit.

“For the safety of my family, I have to go back to Qatar, because right now it’s not very safe for my family or for anyone who’s a minority,” Ahmed said during a news conference.

While in Texas, Ahmed said, he has to disguise himself and wear a hoodie. “I can’t walk out of the house without being covered up because I might get shot because that happens here,” he said.

The lawsuit claims Mohamed was a victim of systemic racism by the school district and the school board.

“History tells us that when we have stood tall and proud for equality and freedom, we have grown as a nation,” the suit says. “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.”

This entry was posted on August 9, 2016 at 7:49 PM and is filed under Clock Boy, Courts, Qatar. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments.

Tags: Clock Boy, Courts, Qatar