A peaceful protest for justice has turned into a legal battle for religious freedom for Layla Soliz, a Muslim woman at the center of a federal lawsuit against the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. Soliz was forced to remove her hijab for a booking photo after being arrested at a pro-Palestinian demonstration. Despite assurances that the photo would remain private, it was published online, causing distress to Soliz and violating her religious beliefs.
Soliz is seeking $250,000 in damages and demanding changes to booking procedures to prevent future violations. The lawsuit claims the sheriff’s office violated its own policies and legal protections for religious freedom. This case is part of a larger trend of Muslim women being forced to remove religious head coverings while in police custody, leading to similar lawsuits across the country.
The incident occurred during a pro-Palestinian campus protest on the University of Tennessee’s campus on Nakba Day, commemorating the displacement of Palestinians in 1948. Soliz and others were arrested for criminal trespassing, leading to her mistreatment during the booking process. She hopes her lawsuit will set a precedent and prevent future violations of religious freedom.
Soliz’s story highlights the importance of protecting religious freedoms and civil rights for all individuals, regardless of their beliefs. She urges others to speak out against injustice and fight for their rights, emphasizing the connection between her experience and the ongoing oppression in Palestine.
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Photo credit tennesseelookout.com
