City of Sterling Heights Settles Lawsuit over Mosque Denial, Agrees to Approve Construction
The City of Sterling Heights, Michigan has agreed to settle a lawsuit with the United States over allegations of Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) violation. The lawsuit, which was filed in December 2016, alleged that the city discriminated against the American Islamic Community Center, Inc. (AICC) on the basis of religion when it denied the application to build a mosque in the city.
As part of the settlement, the city has agreed to permit the AICC to construct a mosque in the city. The city has also agreed to publicize its non-discrimination policies and practices, undergo training on the requirements of RLUIPA, and report periodically to the Justice Department.
The settlement resolves a lawsuit brought by the AICC against the city. The United States also filed a separate lawsuit against the city, which has also been submitted to the court for approval.
“Federal law protects the right of faith communities to build places of worship without discrimination or unreasonable burdens on their religious exercise,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Defendant: City of Sterling Heights
Crime: RLUIPA Violation
City and State: Sterling Heights, Michigan
Date: December 2016
Outcome: Settlement
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Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: Civil Rights
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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