Henrico County, Religious Discrimination, Virginia 2023
Henrico County Settles Lawsuit Alleging Religious Discrimination
A federal lawsuit alleging religious discrimination by Henrico County, Va., against a Muslim organization has been settled, according to a recent Justice Department announcement.
The lawsuit, which was filed in 2008, claimed that the county denied a rezoning application from a Muslim organization to construct a mosque due to religious bias among county officials and to appease members of the public who opposed the construction of a mosque.
As part of the settlement, Henrico County has agreed to treat all religious groups equally and to publicize its non-discrimination policies and practices. The county has also agreed to provide training on the requirements of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA) for its leaders and employees.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division alleged that the county treated the Muslim organization differently than non-Muslim religious groups that had been granted similar rezoning requests in the past.
“Religious freedom is one of our most cherished rights, and that right includes the ability to assemble and build places of worship without facing discrimination,” said Thomas Perez, Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division. “We are pleased that the county of Henrico has agreed to take steps to ensure that all people exercising this basic American right will not encounter discrimination during the zoning and land use process.”
Henrico County, the defendant in the lawsuit, is a county located in the state of Virginia. The case arose from the county’s denial of a 2008 application from a Muslim organization for construction of a mosque.
The settlement, which must still be approved by a federal district judge in Richmond, resolves a lawsuit between the United States and Henrico County.
RLUIPA, enacted in 2000, prohibits religious discrimination in land use and zoning decisions. Persons who believe that they been subjected to religious discrimination in land use or zoning may contact the Housing and Civil Enforcement Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division at 1-800-896-7743.
Henrico County, a county located in Virginia, has agreed to take steps to ensure that all people exercising their right to assemble and build places of worship without facing discrimination.
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →