Reflection on Tanzin v. Tanvir

Abstract

In Tanzin v. Tanvir, the U.S. Supreme Court held that plaintiffs suing under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA), can seek money damages from federal government officials in their individual capacities. The case involved three American Muslim men who were placed or kept on the No-Fly List by FBI agents for the men’s refusal to work as informants and spy on their own faith communities in violation of their religious beliefs. In conversation with one of their attorneys, these are the plaintiffs’ reflections on their journey.

Keywords: civil rights, religious freedom, war on terror, FBI, informant, surveillance, spying, Muslims, Islam, No Fly List, watchlist, first amendment, religious freedom, religious freedom restoration act, law, litigation, lawyering, law and organizing, movement lawyering