MN Appellate Court Refuses Temporary Injunction To Muslim Cabbies

In Dolal v. Metropolitan Airports Commission, (MN Ct. App., Sept. 9, 2008), a Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld a trial court's refusal to issue a temporary injunction sought by Muslim cab drivers against the commission that regulates ground transportation at the Minneapolis- St. Paul International Airport. At issue are regulations that penalize the cab drivers who refuse service to passengers. Muslim drivers argue that requiring them to transport passengers who are carrying alcohol infringes their free exercise of religion protected by the Minnesota constitution. The court of appeals agreed that the cab drivers had not suffered irreparable harm. Any suspension of a cab driver would be stayed while an order is being reviewed administratively, and the stay could be continued if that decision is reviewed in the courts. USA Today reports on the decision. (See prior related posting.)