The Activist Files

The Activist Files is a podcast by the Center for Constitutional Rights where we feature the stories of people on the front lines fighting for justice, including activists, lawyers, and artists. We interview movement partners, our clients, and people using storytelling to create change, and look to highlight lesser known aspects of the work. Listen to our latest episode here, or subscribe through your iPhone podcast app, or directly on iTunes or Spotify!

Episode 32: The Color of Surveillance

November 18, 2020

On Episode 32 of The Activist Files, Senior Managing Attorney Shayana Kadidal speaks with Ramzi Kassem about the case of American Muslims who were placed or kept on the No-Fly List in retaliation for refusing to spy on their communities. Ramzi, Professor of Law and Director of the CLEAR project (Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility) at CUNY School of Law, argued Tanvir v. Tanzin before the U.S. Supreme Court on October 6, 2020, and Shane and the Center for Constitutional Rights are co-counsel (along with the law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP). They discuss how our clients’ lives were turned upside down by the FBI and how the men were removed from the No-Fly List just before their first major court date. They talk about the legal questions before the Court, whether the Religious Freedom Restoration Act was intended to allow for damages, and what we can expect going forward. It’s a lively conversation between two lawyers who have worked together closely for many years and a peek behind the curtains of what it’s like to argue a case before the highest court in the land via video camera.

Resources

Tanvir v. Tanzin (formerly Tanvir v. Holder and Tanvir v. Lynch) case page

Supreme Court Case: Tanzin v. Tanvir

FAQs: Tanzin v. Tanvir

Muhammad Tanvir client bio

Naveed Shinwari client bio

Organizations

TheCLEAR project (Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility)