A New York woman is seeking $2 million in damages from the New York Mets after claiming she was barred from entering Citi Field for wearing a “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) hat. Aura Moody filed the lawsuit earlier this month, detailing her experience at the Mets’ game against the Oakland Athletics on August 14.
Moody, a member of the Queens Village Republican Club, alleges that a staff member informed her that her hat was too political to allow her entry into the stadium. Despite her attempts to invoke her First Amendment rights, she was forced to return the hat to her car. However, upon returning to her seat, she noticed other attendees wearing similar MAGA apparel, raising concerns about selective enforcement.
In her lawsuit, Moody accuses the Mets of “racial discrimination and political retaliation,” asserting that her experience caused “reputational harm.” She expressed frustration over what she perceives as an infringement on her rights, stating, “This country is supposed to be the beacon of freedom for all.”
The Mets have not issued a formal comment regarding the lawsuit but previously acknowledged the incident, stating that the employee involved was “mistaken about our attire policy.” A spokesperson mentioned plans to reach out to Moody to apologize and invite her back to the stadium.
Similar Incidents in Sports Venues
This incident follows a similar situation involving the Arizona Cardinals, who recently apologized to a woman after she was told to remove her MAGA hat at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals acknowledged a misunderstanding of their policy regarding political items, emphasizing their commitment to clarity for all stadium personnel.
As the debate over political expression in public venues continues, the outcome of Moody’s lawsuit may set a precedent for how sports organizations handle similar situations in the future.