Muslim leaders denounce officers for removing woman's hijab during ASU protest arrests

The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations released a statement Tuesday condemning an incident the group believes involved Arizona State University’s Police Department after video surfaced of a woman’s hijab being forcibly removed.

The group's statement said the woman's arrest followed a pro-Palestinian rally on the university’s campus on Saturday, where nearly 70 people were arrested.

In video published to X by ABC 15 reporter Dave Biscobing, a woman can be seen sitting near a bus, appearing to be handcuffed. In the video, which is censored, her headscarf is removed with four officers surrounding her as her hair is exposed.

A spokesperson for ASU told The Arizona Republic they could not confirm whether university police were involved in the incident but that the matter was under review. No additional details were provided until a statement released Thursday.

ASU officials did not confirm if the video featured ASU police but rather that they were “aware of concerns.”

“ASU understands and appreciates the cultural concerns expressed and is reviewing the matter as part of a comprehensive review of events on Friday and early morning Saturday, which is being directed by the Office of General Counsel.”

Bart Graves, a spokesperson for the Department of Public Safety, said the officers depicted in the video were not with DPS. A spokesperson with the Tempe Police Department confirmed they had reviewed the video and none of the officers featured are with their department.

A hijab is a garment that covers one’s head and wraps around one’s neck like a scarf. It is worn by Muslim woman to serve as a religious symbol of modesty, privacy and piety. Azza Abuseif, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Arizona, said the removal of a hijab is a violation of one’s privacy and identity.

“You feel violated, you’re hurt, and it’s dehumanizing,” Abuseif said. “It’s part of their identity to wear the hijab. This is a gross violation of the religious rights of peaceful protesters.”

According to the group's statement, three other women alleged similar treatment during campus protests as well. The statement called for ASU Police to investigate the situation.

Abuseif said the Council on American-Islamic Relations has been in contact with the woman in the video, her attorney, and the attorneys of the other women. The group is investigating what took place and will decide whether or not to take action, Abuseif said.

Earlier this month, the city of New York agreed to pay $17.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit where two police officers were accused of removing two women’s hijabs while mugshot photos were being taken in 2018.

Lola N’Sangou is the executive director of Mass Liberation AZ, one of the groups supporting the student advocates behind Friday’s pro-Palestinian encampment.

"As someone who wears hijab myself, witnessing the forceful removal of a woman’s hijab by police was incredibly painful, jarring, and triggering," N'Sangou said.

N’Sangou drew parallels between Arizona police and the Israeli military.

"This act of violence is unconscionable and goes against the very principles of public safety that law enforcement claim to uphold," she said. "Such behavior must be condemned unequivocally."

Nearly 70 protesters were arrested into the early morning on Saturday after the university said the protest was an "unauthorized encampment." ASU officials said 15 of them were university students.

“While the university will continue to be an environment that embraces freedom of speech, ASU’s first priority is to create a safe and secure environment that supports teaching and learning,” a statement from ASU officials said.

The three people arrested within the first 20 minutes of the protest on Friday had their charges dropped, according to Christina Carter, a criminal defense attorney, who said the court did not find probable cause.

Helen Rummel covers higher education for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at [email protected]. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @helenrummel.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Police removed woman's hijab during ASU protests, Muslim leaders say