ACRL Sues Corporations and US Government Over Lebanon Property Destruction

The Arab American Civil Rights League (ACRL) has filed a federal lawsuit against several corporations and the US government, seeking compensation for damaged homes in South Lebanon. The plaintiffs claim that military equipment provided by the US to Israel has been used to demolish properties amid fighting. Over a dozen plaintiffs are referencing the Human Rights Law, which prohibits the Defense Department and State Department from giving money and equipment if they know or have reason to believe it will cause harm.

The complaint alleges that Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Caterpillar supplied instruments despite knowing or having reason to know of an unreasonable risk or harm. ACRL Chairman Nasser Beydoun described this as a landmark civil rights case that seeks to address injustice through laws already on the books.

ACRL founder Nabih Ayad emphasized that tens of thousands of individuals in SE Michigan, who are predominantly Lebanese Americans, cannot sit idly by while their tax dollars are being used to destroy their own homes. So far, there's no response from the State Department.