CAIR Welcomes Dismissal of Savage's 'Retaliatory' Lawsuit

CAIR Welcomes Dismissal of Savage's 'Retaliatory' Lawsuit

Muslim group says radio host sought to silence criticism of on-air bigotry

WASHINGTON, July 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today welcomed a federal judge's decision to dismiss what it termed a "retaliatory" copyright-infringement lawsuit by syndicated radio talk show host Michael Savage.

Last year, Savage sued CAIR after the Washington-based civil rights and advocacy group posted audio clips from his October 29, 2007, program on its website. In those clips, Savage, whose "Savage Nation" program airs on more than 300 radio stations nationwide, screamed attacks on Muslims, Islam and the Quran. CAIR called on radio listeners of all faiths to contact companies that advertise on the program to express their concerns about the host's anti-Muslim bigotry.

SEE: National Radio Host Goes on Anti-Muslim Tirade

http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=777&&ArticleID=23608&&name=n& &currPage=3

In a ruling issued on Friday, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston said members of the public are entitled to take excerpts from programs like Savage's in order to use them for comment and criticism. Judge Illston also dismissed a bizarre racketeering claim against CAIR in Savage's lawsuit.

Judge Illston termed Savage's complaint "lengthy" and "redundant" and noted that he may have brought the racketeering allegations in an attempt "to harass the defendant." She also ruled that some of Savage's allegations did not comply with the basic structural form of a lawsuit as outlined in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

   To read the Judge Illston's ruling, go to:   http://www.cair.com/Portals/0/pdf/SavageCAIR-opinion.pdf    SEE: Suit Brought By 'Savage Nation' Radio Host Tossed    http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/26/BA2111VQOI.DTL   

"We are pleased with the judge's strong support for First Amendment rights and with her rejection of the frivolous claims put forward by Mr. Savage's retaliatory lawsuit," said CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin. "We believe the real purpose of this baseless suit was to silence discussion of Mr. Savage's bigoted and hate-filled views."

A community and interfaith coalition called Hate Hurts America (HHA) was formed in response to Savage's rhetorical attacks on Muslims and other minority groups. A number of advertisers responded to the CAIR and HHA campaigns by either dropping or refusing to air commercials on "Savage Nation."

   SEE: Hate Hurts America   http://www.hatehurtsamerica.org/   

Savage has a long history of on-air bigotry. Parents of autistic children were outraged by comments Savage made on his July 16 program in which he claimed that 99 percent of autism cases are fraudulent.

   He called autism a "phony disease" and autistic children "brats."    SEE: Savage Loses Advertisers Over Autism Remarks   http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/story?id=5457991&page=1    SEE ALSO: Michael Savage (Media Matters)   http://mediamatters.org/issues_topics/people/michaelsavage   

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

   CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper,   202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR   Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, E-Mail: arubin@cair  

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Source: Council on American-Islamic Relations

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper,
+1-202-488-8787, +1-202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com, or CAIR Communications
Coordinator Amina Rubin, +1-202-488-8787, arubin@cair.com.com

Web Site: http://www.cair.com/
http://www.hatehurtsamerica.org/

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Profile: International Entertainment