Sam Saadeh, a passenger of Palestinian descent from Linden, New Jersey, stated he was informed by a United Airlines supervisor that his T-shirt was offensive and that he would not be permitted to travel unless he changed it. The incident occurred on June 4 as Saadeh was boarding a flight from Atlanta to Newark Liberty International Airport.
Saadeh recounted that a flight attendant initially questioned him about his shirt, which read, "Bombing kids is not self defense." Subsequently, a supervisor approached him, presenting him with a choice: change the shirt or disembark. Saadeh told CBS New York that he changed his shirt to be able to reach his destination but described the experience as humiliating. He also stated that airline personnel could not adequately explain which company policy the shirt violated.
United Airlines confirmed Saadeh traveled on the flight after changing his attire, but a spokesperson offered no further comment. The airline's Contract of Carriage does permit refusal of transportation to passengers who are "not properly clothed, or whose clothing is lewd, obscene or offensive."
Saadeh reported filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation and is seeking legal counsel. According to reports, he intended the shirt as a statement against violence and in support of children, regardless of nationality.
Wear the Peace, the organization that produced the shirt, posted on Facebook that the garment was a "peaceful statement, not a threat" aimed at drawing attention to the deaths of children in Gaza. The organization argued that the shirt's message did not incite violence or suggest the wearer posed a threat, differentiating it from statements like "I have a bomb." They also claimed that a member of their organization recently flew on a United flight with a passenger wearing an Israel Defense Forces shirt without issue, suggesting inconsistent policy enforcement by the airline.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Department of Transportation to confirm receipt of Saadeh's complaint and to inquire about any ongoing review or comment on the allegations.