BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

Since he was 14 years old, Sanford Harper, II, has been a practicing Muslim. He often dresses in Muslim gowns when he’s out in public and he’s never gotten a complaint from anyone.

Last Wednesday, Harper was in traffic court to dispute a citation for not wearing a seatbelt.

However, before he could take a seat in the courtroom, he said he was approached by a bailiff who told him he had to leave. “I asked him why did I have to leave, and he told me because of the way I was dressed. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.”

Harper said what made it even more confusing was when a second bailiff approached him and told him he was dressed alright. “But, that didn’t matter, because the first bailiff who told me to leave stuck by his guns and told me I couldn’t sit in the courtroom dressed in an African gown.

Harper said since the incident, he’s gotten several phone calls from the Sheriff’s Office, apologizing for the incident.[private]

“The apologies are empty as far as I’m concerned, because they’ve done so many bad things to me. I want my identity back and I want to be able to practice my religion the same as others.”

Harper’s attorney, Eric Taylor, said right now the case is in an investigative stage.

“We’re taking a look at the case to see what direction to head in. I will say the Sheriff’s Office was wrong for asking him to leave. Right now, I’m hesitant to make a judgment without the facts to determine if that was the policy of the judge, because judges can adopt any policy they want for their courtroom when it comes to the way you dress.”

Taylor said he’s going to review the policy of that judge, then advise his client what the net step should be.

“It’s possible, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLUI) may get involved.” [/private]