Hi Friend,

I wanted to update you on an important development in our ongoing efforts to help the family of Muhammad Muhaymin Jr.— a Black, disabled Muslim who was arrested, mocked for his faith and killed by Phoenix police officers after trying to bring his service dog into a public restroom.

On Tuesday, a federal judge granted a motion filed by Muslim Advocates [[link removed]] to unseal court records for a $10 million lawsuit against the City of Phoenix, AZ!

No officer has been held accountable for Mr. Muhaymin’s death and his family’s lawsuit is the first opportunity to secure some measure of justice and accountability.

That’s why it came as such a shock in May when a federal judge abruptly sealed the court hearing a day before it was set to take place. This meant that the public and press were blocked from attending or knowing what was happening.

In September, Muslim Advocates filed a motion asking the judge to unseal the court records in the case and make them available to the public—and on Tuesday, the judge agreed with us that the public deserves access to the court records and the hearing!

As our staff attorney Sanaa Ansari [[link removed]] notes, “this decision is a victory for the Muhaymin family, the press and anyone who has an interest in holding the police accountable. We hope these unsealed records shed needed light on what really happened to Muhammad Muhaymin Jr. and we hope this helps his family get the justice they deserve.”

This victory comes on the heels of our larger campaign to support the Muhaymin family.

Last year, we released the police body camera footage of Mr. Muhaymin’s arrest. In the footage, he can be heard pleading for his life saying, “I can’t breathe” followed by the prayer, “Please Allah.” In response, the officer can be heard saying, “Allah? He’s not going to help you right now.”

Recently, the Justice Department announced an investigation into “whether the Phoenix Police Department engages in a pattern or practice of violations of the Constitution or federal law.” The announcement came two months after Muslim Advocates called on the deputy attorney general to investigate Mr. Muhaymin’s death. We also sent the department a letter from Mr. Muhaymin’s youngest daughter.

This week’s news is a welcome development for transparency. But it still does not change one stubborn fact: No one has been held responsible for Mr. Muhaymin’s death. Justice has yet to be secured for his family.

And so while it is a victory that the public will now have access to the hearing, the greater work to secure justice goes on. Muslim Advocates will continue to support the Muhaymin family in their struggle for recognition and accountability.

And we will continue to keep you informed on this important cause.

And let me emphasize that none of this would be possible without your support — every time someone signs a petition or sends an email in solidarity with the Muhaymin family, it truly creates a ripple effect that adds up to an enormous wave of action. Action that is necessary for justice to prevail. So, thank you for everything that you do.

In solidarity,
Eric Naing
Communications Director, Muslim Advocates

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Muslim Advocates
PO Box 66408
Washington, DC 20035
United States
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