MLB Team Sued For Millions By Trump Supporter
In a notable case highlighting concerns over free speech and political expression, a woman from Queens has filed a lawsuit against the New York Mets for $2 million in damages after being denied entry to Citi Field for wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat. Aura Moody, a 64-year-old social worker from Saint Albans, claims her rights were violated and that she suffered emotional distress due to what she describes as political retaliation.
Moody initiated her legal action on September 6 in Brooklyn Federal Court, representing herself. She argues that the Mets’ actions constituted not only a violation of her First Amendment rights but also racial discrimination. “This country is supposed to be a beacon of freedom for all,” Moody stated in an interview, emphasizing her belief in the importance of political expression.
The incident in question took place on August 14 during a Mets game against the Oakland Athletics, where Moody and a friend, both members of the Queens Village Republican Club, were confronted by a staff member who insisted that their MAGA hats were “too political” for entry. Despite her attempts to assert her rights, Moody was faced with a stark choice: remove the hat or leave the stadium. To avoid disrupting her friends, she reluctantly took off the hat and was compelled to return to her car to leave it behind.
The lawsuit notes that when Moody asked to speak with a supervisor, she was told that the policy prohibiting her attire was firm. After the incident, however, the Mets reached out to apologize, clarifying that there was no official policy against MAGA hats at Citi Field and that the staff involved had undergone retraining.
Despite the team’s acknowledgment and apology, Moody remains hesitant to return to the ballpark, expressing feelings of embarrassment and humiliation from the experience. “It was shocking and heartbreaking. How can I go back?” she reflected, illustrating the emotional toll the incident has taken on her.
This case underscores the ongoing debate surrounding free speech and political expression in public spaces, particularly within the context of sporting events.
