The spiritual leader of a South Side Muslim temple is threatening a federal civil rights suit, now that charges of battery against a police officer and obstruction of justice have been dropped against him.

The attorney representing Grand Sheik Clifford Jackson-Bey said he expected that the suit would be filed by Monday, naming 4th District officers involved in the Nov. 25 arrest and the city of Chicago.

During a news conference at a West Side restaurant, Jackson-Bey's attorney, Lewis Meyers, charged that Jackson-Bey was the victim of "anti-Muslim" sentiment and a hate crime.

Meyers said his client was beaten about the face, head, shoulders and body in the back of a Chicago Police squad car after informing the officers that other officers, from the same district, had arrested his son three days earlier. [Link]