Muslim Woman Jailed After Trying to Enter Ga. Court With Religious Head Covering Settles Suit
A Muslim woman who reportedly was jailed for contempt of court after she refused to remove her religious head covering when she tried to accompany a nephew to a Georgia municipal court several years ago has settled her lawsuit over the incident in the city of Douglasville.
Lisa Valentine protested and tried to leave the court building after being told she had to uncover herself but was restrained by officers, forced to remove her head covering and jailed for several hours, recounts a press release today announcing the settlement.
It says the city has agreed to implement a policy recognizing the rights of those wearing religious head coverings to opt for alternative screening procedures and to wear head coverings in court.
“I am glad that Douglasville has agreed to formal policies to make sure this never happens to anyone else.” said plaintiff Lisa Valentine in the release. “Acknowledging that I was improperly treated was the least that my city could do.”
She was represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and Carlton Fields.
The release doesn’t include any comment from a municipal representative or say whether Valentine received any compensation for being jailed.
Additional and related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Muslim Woman Jailed for Refusing to Remove Scarf for Ga. Court”
ABAJournal.com: “Jailed for Wearing Headscarf at Courthouse, Muslim Woman Sues; Others Object to Airport Searches”
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “The new normal: Muslims reflect on life after 9/11”
