FOIA request filed against Miami-Dade Transit

Attorney for Emma Anderson talks case

MIAMI – An attorney representing an 82-year-old woman who was forcibly removed from a Miami-Dade Metrorail train because she was singing filed a Freedom of Information Act request in the case.

Al Carbonell said he has filed a request for Miami-Dade Transit's policies and procedures when dealing with the elderly on behalf of his client, Emma Anderson.

WATCH: Emma Anderson sings

READ: FOIA request

"We have asked for documentation as to defining speech, defining prayer, defining dancing or any other activities that they find offensive," said Carbonell.

He wants to know if those policies were broken when cell phone video taken Feb. 20 showed Anderson singing a spiritual hymn when a private security guard approached, grabbed her bag, and dragged her off the train.

"He snatched so hard until I fell. I fell backwards," said Anderson.

"The reason that Miss Anderson was taken off of the Metrorail is because she was singing a spiritual hymn," said Carbonell.

He said Anderson hurt her hip and shoulder in the incident.

"Right now, physically, she can't walk. She can't move around. She's in pain to walk," added Carbonell.

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez has since apologized to her.

"We are sorry that this incident occurred and apologize to Mrs. Anderson.  The situation should have been handled with more care and common sense," Gimenez said in a statement.