April 16, 2007

Taxi drivers can't refuse riders, MAC rules

Anti-dhimmitude in Minneapolis! By Curt Brown in the Star Tribune (thanks to PRCS):

Starting May 11, airport taxi drivers who refuse to transport riders carrying alcohol will be suspended for 30 days. And after a second offense, their license would be revoked for two years.

The Metropolitan Airports Commission voted 11-0 Monday to approve the crackdown, which some Muslim drivers say violates their religious beliefs. Commissioners called the change reasonable, practical and important for rider safety.

"We are sending a message that if you want to drive a taxi at our airport you can't refuse our customers," Steve Wareham, operations manager of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

The only approved refusals would involve the driver's safety or would be prompted by riders, such as excess luggage or large families.

But it ain't over:

Jeff Hassan, a lawyer representing Muslim cabbies, said the issue might wind up going to the Minnesota Supreme Court.