Richmond, VA

In 2008, the Islamic Center of Henrico submits a proposal to rezone a 5.2-acre lot to build a 10,000-square-foot mosque and community center. Mosque opponents raise concerns about increased noise and traffic. After Henrico County denies the application, the center sues the county, alleging religious discrimination. In March 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice opens an investigation into the county’s denial and subsequently files a separate federal suit, noting that the county had never denied a zoning application submitted by a Christian church. The lawsuits are settled out of court after the county approves a new rezoning application for the mosque property in August 2011

Ezoza Eshova, Madeleine Kleinerman, Indar Ramlal, and Kenneth Wingate