Two Muslim women filed a federal lawsuit against the Orange County Sheriff's Department, claiming their hijabs were forcibly removed during a pro-Palestinian protest at UC Irvine. They allege this act violates their religious beliefs and rights under state and federal law. The women were arrested on May 15, 2024, along with other protesters, and during incarceration at the Central Jail Complex, they were repeatedly ordered to remove their hijabs. Their lawyer emphasized the hijab's significance as an act of worship and a vital part of their identity, asserting that individuals retain their religious rights even when arrested.
"This stripped them of something far more sacred than fabric. For Muslim women who cover their bodies and hair, the hijab is an act of worship. It is a sign of their submission to God."
"Our laws are clear, people do not shed their religious rights when they are arrested. They don't become less worthy of respect because they dissent."
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