By Samuel Medina III/ south news editor
Ahmed Mohamed and his family are back in the headlines now that they’re fighting back in an unjust way.
The 14-year-old was arrested Sept. 14 for bringing a clock, which was thought to be a bomb, to school and sparked a national controversy.
Mohamed and his family left their Irving home and moved to Qatar. He joined the Qatar Foundation Young Innovators Program on a full scholarship that covers the rest of his high school studies and entire undergraduate education.
Ever since the arrest, Mohamed has become famous. He’s received invitations to colleges, Facebook, NASA and even the White House since the incident. Instead of the family being grateful for countless people showing love and support and giving them amazing opportunities, they’re demanding even more.
Now, he and his family are demanding $10 million from the city of Irving and $5 million from the Irving school district because “he and his family have suffered physical and mental anguish.”
He and his family have been through more than anyone can imagine. There is no doubt about that. But what justifies the $15 million? Mohamed using race and his new fame to acquire more money is absolutely shameful.
Not only do they want money but also written apologies from mayor Beth Van Duyne, the school district and police chief Larry Boyd. People in that sort of power are not going to give in so easily.
The family’s attorney ends the letter by saying if the demands are not met within 60 days, there will be a civil lawsuit.
Nobody can amend what happened to Mohamed and his family, but many people have tried. Many people have given them so much support and love, but it seems like $15 million is the only thing that his family believes can make it right.
Suing the district is by far no surprise. They have every right to do so. But their demands are just exploiting the situation.
Irving and the school district meeting the demands and apologizing do not seem too likely. They have yet to make a statement, but it is safe to say there is a civil lawsuit coming, and neither side is going to have mercy.
What happened to Mohamed was wrong. No one can deny that. But $15 million is just ridiculous. He deserves restitution and even an apology from the mayor and police chief, but demanding that much money turned him from an unjustly accused teenager to an opportunist.
