Consent Decree Filed In DOJ's Suit Against Restaurant Charging Falun Gong Discrimination

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday that it had filed a consent decree in its religious discrimination action against a Flushing, NY restaurant that ejected ten patrons on three separate occasions in 2008 because they were wearing shirts displaying beliefs of the Falun Gong movement. Lucky Joy Restaurant, Inc. and its president Xiao Rong admit that they refused service to Falun Gong practitioners.  The consent decree, which must still receive court approval, enjoins defendants from discriminating on the basis of religion, religious expression, religious dress or association with Falun Gong. Restaurant staff will also attend training on the legal requirements of non-discrimination in public accommodations, and a non-discrimination policy will be posted in the restaurant in English and Chinese. (See prior related posting.) In China, the government began a campaign in 1999 to ban Falun Gong. (Background).