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Supreme Court rules Rastafari man can't sue Louisiana prison guards who forcibly cut his dreadlocks
By AP via Scripps News Group at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News
· June 23, 2026
· 2 min read
The Supreme Court on Tuesday barred a former Louisiana inmate from suing prison officials who cut off his dreadlocks in violation of his Rastafari religious beliefs.The justices condemned what happened to the former inmate, Damon Landor. But they ruled that a federal law designed to protect the r...
Key takeaway The justices refused to apply the rationale from their decision in 2020 that allowed Muslim men to sue over their inclusion on the FBI's no-fly list under a sister statute, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Why this matters in The Detroit
In Detroit , where residents value diversity and religious freedom, the Supreme Court's ruling in the case of Damon Landor may raise concerns about the protection of inmates' rights. The decision highlights the complexities of balancing individual freedoms with institutional policies, a challenge that Detroit's own correctional facilities may face. As the city continues to grapple with issues of social justice and equality, the Landor case serves as a reminder that the rights of incarcerated individuals are often at the forefront of these discussions. Detroit's community leaders and advocates may be watching this case closely, considering how it might impact local efforts to promote religious tolerance and accommodate the diverse faiths of inmates in Wayne County correctional facilities. The fact that Louisiana has since amended its prison grooming policy to prevent similar incidents may prompt Detroit to review its own policies and ensure that they respect the religious beliefs of all inmates.
About this story
Original reporting by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Supreme Court on Tuesday barred a former Louisiana inmate from suing prison officials who cut off his dreadlocks in violation of his Rastafari religious beliefs.The justices condemned what happened to the former inmate, Damon Landor. But they ruled that a federal law designed to protect the r...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP via Scripps News Group at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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