The New York Police Department has agreed to pay $17.5 million in a lawsuit by two Muslim women who were forced to take hijabs off while having mugshots taken.
The case, initiated in 2018 by Jamilla Clark and Arwa Aziz, alleged that the police violated their freedom and right to privacy.
3,600 People Qualify For Compensation
Legal representatives indicated that over 3,600 individuals qualify for compensation under the settlement.
The compensation will be distributed among thousands of plaintiffs arrested between March 2014 and August 2021, with individuals estimated to receive payments ranging from $7,000 to $13,000.
The police changed the policy requiring hijab removal during mugshots four years ago to accommodate Muslim women wearing hijab.
Victim Expressed Satisfaction
She expressed satisfaction with the settlement, emphasizing the importance of respecting religious beliefs.
The city’s law department stated that the resolution strikes a balance between respecting religious beliefs and the necessity of law enforcement to capture arrest photos.
