Woman sues Michigan Police for First Amendment Violations

Malak Kazan, a 27 year old practicing Muslim woman from Michigan, was arrested last year for driving with a suspended license. When the time came to take her mug shot, she was told she must remove her hijab because it is the police departments policy to remove all headgear that "can contain concealable items that could pose a threat or chance of injury to the cops or to themselves." Ms. Kazan attempted to explain that it is against her religion to expose her hair and neck to men that are not in her immediate family. She even went far enough to request that a female officer take her mug shot, to avoid the offense to her own culture and belief system. Yet that request was refused because there "aren't always enough female officers on duty." So in the end, she was forced to remove the head piece and continue with the photograph. 

Ms. Kazan is suing under the second clause of the first amendment and also the fourteenth amendment, granting her equal protection under the law, and protecting her from the dangers of excessive state and local authorities. Now I assume that this case will not take too long to decide, as it is a blatant violation of her guaranteed constitutional rights. The lawsuit also includes a plan to edit the policy of the police force to allow an exception for Muslim women and their religious headwear. To read more about this case, follow this link http://www.albawaba.com/editorchoice/woman-sues-michigan-cops-who-made-her-take-hijab-648412