Lawsuit claims that Stafford County supervisor used anti-Muslim remarks

On January 19, the All Muslim Association of America, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit brief in opposition to the county supervisors’ decision to enforce restrictions on new cemeteries. This comes at a time in which the AMAA is planning to build a new cemetery located on Garrisonville Road, which has had numerous challenges since they purchased the property in 2016. The reason for the decision to limit building of new cemeteries was, according to the filing, was based on “discriminatory, arbitrary and imposes a substantial and impermissible burden on the exercise of religious freedom.”

However, that was only part of the problem, as stated in the lawsuit. According to a disposition by Supervisor Tinesha Allen, the Stafford County Supervisor Crystal Vaunch told her that “doesn’t want to see a [expletive] Muslim cemetery across from her and she would rather die before she allowed her husband to be reminded of those people.” Although Vaunch denies making the statement and reports that her opposition to the cemetery is due to protect drinking water regulations. She has also stated she could not approve of the cemetery because of her husband, who has service-connected PTSD.

Allen, according to the Free Lance-Star, states that “My deposition speaks for itself.”

The AMAA states that they need the cemetery space because the one that is currently in the southern portion of the county is near capacity.