Travaile Speller has a curious case against Mecklenburg County Jail for depriving him of lunch. Speller is Muslim and was put on the traditional meal plan for Ramadan of two meals a day. Speller has sued for major damages for “intentionally eliminating one whole meal (lunch) which is cruel and unusual punishment directed towards all Muslims.” The problem is that Speller reportedly signed up to participate in the Ramadan schedule, including the skipping of lunches. He now wants a jury trial and $250,000 in damages.
From May 15 to June 15, participating Muslims were limited to two meals each day: suhoor to be eaten before dawn and iftar to be eaten after sunset.
Speller signed up for the program on April 30th but does not believe that consent is a complete defense.
Yet in this filing, Speller insists that “My meals should not be diminished based on my religion, or because of my observance of my religious holiday.”
