Sikh and Muslim rights group in California will file multiple complaints against an amusement parks chain that denied access to people from the two communities to certain rides, saying the religious head coverings worn by them posed safety hazards.
The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) and United Sikhs will announce the filing of multiple public accommodation complaints with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) against Boomers amusement parks.
The complaints allege violations of California’s civil Rights act based on Boomers’ “unwillingness to permit park attendees wearing religious head coverings” from riding the go-karts in the park. Muslim and Sikh park attendees have repeatedly been denied access to the rides.
The rights group said the company has cited “unfounded safety concerns” and has been unwilling to provide any accommodation, “thereby effectively banning thousands of local residents from riding the Go-Karts solely based on their faith.”
United Sikhs Staff Attorney Manmeet Singh said Boomers has failed to provide “any clear or sensible reasoning” for denying individuals with religious headwear requirements access to go-karts.
“To deny people their religious liberties on unfounded fears is something that cannot and should not be tolerated in today’s day and age.”
CAIR-Northern California Civil Rights Coordinator Brice Hamack said companies cannot utilize unfounded safety concerns to discriminate against thousands of people.
“It troubles us that every other amusement park is able to make sufficient accommodations to permit women wearing hijabs to ride some of the fastest roller coasters in the world, but that Boomers has unequivocally denied them access to the Go-Kart rides,” Hamack added.
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam and encourage dialogue.
United Sikhs is a UN affiliated, international non- profit, humanitarian relief and advocacy organization.PTI