The New York Post reports on a lawsuit filed by an elderly Jewish couple who were forced off their American Airlines flight from Miami to New York after an argument with a flight attendant who insisted that Roberto Birman's tallit (prayer shawl) bag be removed from the overhead compartment and placed on the floor beneath his seat. Birman objected saying that his religious beliefs precluded him from placing the tallit on the floor. The Post reports:
As soon as they were ushered out, the crew member allegedly told his coworkers, “Close the gate!”...
They were left without Roberto’s diabetes medications, which were in the checked luggage, got no help from the airline for securing food or a place to stay that night, and were forced to take a taxi to a friend’s home as a hurricane swept in.
