Appeals Court Backs MAC on Muslim Taxi Drivers

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The Metropolitan Airports Commission adopted an ordinance in March 2007 that suspends a driver’s taxi license for 30 days for refusing to pick up a passenger for any reason at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The penalty for a second refusal is a two-year license suspension. Cabbies have a right to appeal a suspension, with the penalty stayed until an administrative hearing officer issues a decision.

Nine men who own or operate taxis at the airport had appealed a district judge’s refusal to issue a temporary injunction blocking the commission from imposing the penalties. The men said their religious beliefs prohibit them from carrying alcohol.

The Appeals Court ruling Tuesday upholds the lower court’s decision. Both courts said that the respondents failed to show that they would suffer irreparable harm if a temporary injunction was not granted. {snip}

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