April 7th 2024.
The city of New York recently reached a resolution in a highly publicized $17.5 million lawsuit filed by two Muslim-American women, Jamilla Clark and Arwa Aziz. The lawsuit alleged that the women were mistreated by police officers who arrested them and then demanded they remove their hijabs for booking photos.
This case, which had been ongoing since 2018, was finally settled on April 5th in the Manhattan federal court, under the direction of District Judge Analisa Torres. The settlement was made possible by a previous class-action lawsuit, which established guidelines for individuals who are required to remove religious attire during the booking process.
The settlement is estimated to provide a total of $13 million to the plaintiffs, not including legal fees. However, this amount could increase if more of the nearly 4,000 eligible class members choose to make individual claims. The expected payout for each claimant ranges from $7,824 to $13,125.
For Aziz and Clark, the incident that sparked the lawsuit was a traumatic experience. They were arrested for allegedly violating orders of protection, and during the booking process, they were forced to remove their hijabs for the mugshot photos. Both women felt deeply violated and humiliated by this experience.
In a statement, Clark expressed her feelings of exposure and vulnerability when she was forced to remove her hijab. She explained that the experience made her feel as though she was completely naked and that words could not accurately describe the sense of violation she experienced.
However, this lawsuit has brought about positive change. As of 2020, the New York City Police Department has revised its procedures to allow individuals of all genders to wear hijabs and other head coverings for mugshot photos, as long as their faces are visible.
Nicholas Paolucci, a representative for the city's law department, stated that this settlement has led to important reforms for the NYPD. The agreement strikes a balance between respecting individuals' religious beliefs and the need for law enforcement to take accurate booking photos.
In addition to the monetary compensation, the settlement also provides a pathway for anyone who was forced to remove their head coverings during an arrest or detainment between March 16, 2014, and August 23, 2021, to seek redress. This includes individuals who may not have been part of the initial lawsuit.
This case is a reminder of the ongoing struggle for religious freedom and tolerance in our society. It also serves as a cautionary tale for organizations to be mindful of cultural and religious sensitivities in their policies and practices.
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