There was a new controversy in the United States after dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators were arrested at Arizona State University over the weekend.
According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Arizona, Arizona State University police forcibly removed four female students’ hijabs. David Shami, an attorney and volunteer board member at the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said there was no legitimate reason for the officers to search them. He added that since the student had been restrained, a female officer could have searched privately instead of having four male officers conduct it publicly.
It was very clear from the beginning that law enforcement was intent on crushing the protest to prevent these students and citizens from exercising their First Amendment rights, he said. This is reminiscent of what you would see in an authoritarian country. Shami said this is different from what you expect to see in the United States.
However, retired police officer Bill Richardson said police had a duty to search anyone properly. He pointed out that small rifles and razor blades can be hidden under the veil. He explained that the only time a court order is needed is to search the body cavity.
It’s just about the procedure, Richardson said. This is what must be done. It may sound ominous and offend people, but it is legal and must be done to protect the officer and the public. Shami responded by saying these were peaceful demonstrators. There was no reasonable doubt that anyone had a weapon. There was no credible threat to the officers.
Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you have to do something. Richardson explained that officers must search before placing the arrested person in the police car.
I don’t see it as a violation of anything, he said. If the officers had not done their job, they would have been in trouble if someone they arrested had a gun hidden under the hijab and they took it out and started shooting. An innocent person was shot, and a police officer was shot because the officer was out of fear. Searching for them because they are wearing the hijab now, where are we?
Shami stated that the search was unnecessary and claimed that the protesters who were arrested were not read to them about their particular rights. Shami said that the four female students who allegedly forcibly removed their hijab have been suspended and cannot contact their teachers. He told the students to retain the lawyers. He explained that the council would personally participate in the legal procedures.
The First Amendment guarantees the freedom to practice religious rituals,
Azza Abu Seif, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Arizona, said in a statement. The police cannot suspend this right. We condemn the reported actions of the Arizona State Police and call for a full investigation into this incident.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona posted a statement on the AX website saying: This video showing police forcefully removing a woman’s religious dress is outrageous. Muslims, like all of us in the United States, have the right to practice their religion. Law enforcement must respect the religious freedom rights of everyone protesting in Arizona.
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