Ga. Woman Arrested For Wearing Hijab Files Suit

[Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص]

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. -- Lisa Valentine believes suing the city of Douglasville is the only way to

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

right a wrong.

 

Two years ago a city judge sent her to jail because she wouldn’t take off her religious headscarf before entering the municipal courthouse.

 

“This is part of me. Without it, it’s like taking off part of my clothing or shirt. That is how deeply it is for me,” said Lisa Valentine.

 

The judge sentenced Valentine to 10 days behind bars, but she ended up spending the day there before the charges were dropped and she was released.

 

“I did not do anything wrong. It’s outrageous that someone should have to check their constitutional rights at the door of any American courthouse. I am a law abiding citizen and I was doing nothing wrong. I was jailed for protesting a rule that should have never existed,” Valentine said.

 

After the incident, a city judge ordered special provisions to be made for people who wear religious head wear.

 

CBS Atlanta asked Douglasville city manager Bill Osborne what those provisions are and if the city had a response to the lawsuit. Osborne declined to answer citing the pending Litigation.

 

“The fact that they didn't apologize is a slap in the face, but the fact that they continue to uphold what they did with no valid reasoning is even worse,” said Omar Hall, Valentine’s husband  DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. -- Lisa Valentine believes suing the city of Douglasville is the only way to right a wrong.

 

Two years ago a city judge sent her to jail because she wouldn’t take off her religious headscarf before entering the municipal courthouse.

 

“This is part of me. Without it, it’s like taking off part of my clothing or shirt. That is how deeply it is for me,” said Lisa Valentine.

 

The judge sentenced Valentine to 10 days behind bars, but she ended up spending the day there before the charges were dropped and she was released.

 

“I did not do anything wrong. It’s outrageous that someone should have to check their constitutional rights at the door of any American courthouse. I am a law abiding citizen and I was doing nothing wrong. I was jailed for protesting a rule that should have never existed,” Valentine said.

 

After the incident, a city judge ordered special provisions to be made for people who wear religious head wear.

 

CBS Atlanta asked Douglasville city manager Bill Osborne what those provisions are and if the city had a response to the lawsuit. Osborne declined to answer citing the pending Litigation.

 

“The fact that they didn't apologize is a slap in the face, but the fact that they continue to uphold what they did with no valid reasoning is even worse,” said Omar Hall, Valentine’s husband

 

Full Story Muslim Sister Sues Douglasville Court Over Hijab