Woman allegedly forced to remove hijab in jail now suing Genesee County

GENESEE COUNTY, Mich. - A Detroit woman claims she was forced to take off her hijab after being arrested and lodged in the Genesee County Jail.

She is now suing Genesee County and two defendants associated with the jail.

You can read the full lawsuit here:

In 2018, the woman, Cora Cave, was stopped by the Michigan State Police and arrested for an outstanding warrant.

Following this arrest, she was taken to the Genesee County Jail for booking.

The lawsuit alleges an officer forced Cave to remove her Hijab, after Cave explained she believes wearing a hijab in front of men is part of being faithful in her religion.

The lawsuit says Cave asking for $75,000 in punitive damages, plus court costs and attorney fees.

The lawyer for Cave alleges that having her remove her hijab is a violation of the first amendment, the equal protection clause and the religious land use and institutionalized persons act.

Genesee County Sheriff Swanson has not commented on this case as he says he has not been served any paperwork yet.