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A Buddhist temple in Fremont, California is suing the city for religious discrimination, San Francisco Chronicle reports.
On Friday, Buddhist Master MiaoLan Lee of the Temple of 1001 Buddhas and her lawyer Angela Alioto filed a lawsuit against the City of Fremont. They claim the city violated racially discriminated against the temple and violated Lee’s right to practice her religion, KTVU reports.
The Temple of 1001 Buddhas is located on a hill in Fremont. For years the city and the temple have been in a dispute over building permits. The city claims Lee has cut into the hillside without approval, harming neighbors and wildlife.
The dispute has resulted in police raids of the temple. Lee believes the city is targeting the temple because of her identity.
“I’m sure they picked me because I am Asian, and I am a religious woman and my gender,” Lee told KTVU.
The city wants to demolish the building, but Lee insists she will get whatever permits necessary to keep the temple going.
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