Muslim family sues Empire State Building after being escorted out

  Eyewitness News

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A Muslim family is suing the Empire State Building management company after they say they were booted from the landmark for praying.

The lawsuit was filed in Manhattan District Court on Tuesday.

The couple says they and their two young children were escorted from the observation deck last July after silently kneeling for evening prayers.

The family claims their civil rights were violated.

The lawsuit names the publicly-owned ESB management company, the security firm and two unnamed security guards.

The family is seeking unspecified monetary damages.

An Empire State Realty Trust spokesperson says, "The claims are totally without merit and we will respond to them in court."