Women Sue ASU Police Over Forcibly Removed Hijabs After Gaza Protest

Women Sue ASU Police Over Forcibly Removed Hijabs After Gaza Protest
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Four Muslim women have filed a lawsuit against Arizona State University (ASU) and several law enforcement agencies, including the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, alleging that their constitutional rights were violated when officers forcibly removed their hijabs following arrests at a pro-Palestine protest in April 2024, Middle East Monitor reported. The lawsuit claims the women were left without their head coverings for over 24 hours while in custody, causing significant mental and emotional distress.

According to a report from 12News, a newly released police report indicates that not all officers were in agreement with the decision to remove the hijabs. One ASU officer reportedly protested the action, but a deputy from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office insisted on the removal, citing an internal policy. The women’s attorney argues that the act was a violation of their First Amendment rights to religious expression.

The incident, which was also captured in a viral video, drew condemnation from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which called for a full investigation into what it described as a violation of religious freedom. The lawsuit seeks both financial and punitive damages, as well as a declaration that the actions of the police were unconstitutional.