American Airlines sued for $11 million 'after Muslims and Sikh were ejected from plane because of their appearance'

Damages: The men are seeking $11 million from American Airlines and its regional partner Republic Airlines
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Jamie Bullen22 January 2016

Three Muslims and a Sikh are seeking $11 million damages against a US airline after claiming they were kicked off a flight because of their appearance.

The US citizens are suing American Airlines and its regional partner Republic Airlines after they said they were told to disembark from a flight from Toronto to New York on December 8.

In an 18-page lawsuit the four friends allege they were asked to leave the flight because the captain and crew "felt uneasy and uncomfortable with their presence on the flight".

They said the flight refused to take off unless they were ejected from the plane.

The student and three professionals of Bengali, Syrian and Punjabi descent claim they suffered discrimination, financial injury, humiliation, mental pain as a result of action taken by the airline.

The lawsuit accuses the defendants of "malicious," "wanton" and "callous" behavior that "showed reckless disregard" for the men's civil rights.

The friends were returning to New York from birthday celebrations in Canada.

The lawsuit seeks $1 million compensation each from American Airlines, Republic Airlines, Envoy Air and American Eagle, and $5 million in punitive damages - totalling $11 million, a member of staff at the Aboushi Law Firm told AFP.

American Airlines declined to comment.

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