NYPD Sued Over Removal of Religious Head Coverings for Booking Photos
The suit challenges a 2015 NYPD policy requiring that booking photos have an unobstructed view of the subject's head, ears and face, requiring the removal of any headwear. The plaintiffs contend that policy violates the women's freedom of speech, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and New York state law.
Two Muslim-American women and a non-profit group on Friday sued the New York City Police Department for forcing Muslim women and others to remove their hijabs or other religious head coverings in post-arrest photographs.
Arwa Aziz and Jamilla Clark, who were arrested in unrelated incidents, say in the lawsuit that they were forced to remove their hijabs by the NYPD to take post-arrest photographs.
The suit challenges a 2015 NYPD policy requiring that booking photos have an unobstructed view of the subject's head, ears and face, requiring the removal of any headwear. The plaintiffs contend that policy violates the women's freedom of speech, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and New York state law.
The suit seeks unspecified financial damages and for the NYPD to discontinue its practice, US News reports.
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