New York agrees to pay $17.5M over forced hijab removal by police

New York City has agreed to a groundbreaking settlement, paying $17.5 million to resolve a lawsuit filed by two Muslim women who said that their rights were violated when police forced them to remove their hijabs during their arrests, the Guardian reported on Friday.

The settlement, which covers individuals required to remove religious attire before being photographed, marks a significant step towards protecting religious freedoms and upholding the rights of individuals in law enforcement encounters.

“It not only compensates the two plaintiffs, but also extends to more than 3,600 eligible class members who may submit claims,” the Guardian said, adding “After deducting legal fees and costs, the payouts are estimated to total around $13.1 million, with each recipient set to receive between $7,824 and $13,125.”

The resolution of this lawsuit with a substantial monetary settlement highlights the importance of protecting religious freedoms and upholding the rights of individuals during encounters with law enforcement.