Man pleads guilty to removing Muslim woman's head scarf during flight

[Miles Archer]

Gill Parker Payne, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of using force or threat of force to intentionally obstruct the free exercise of a person’s religious beliefs.

Court documents say that on December 11, 2015, Payne saw the woman several rows in front of him on the plane. He admitted that he saw she was wearing a hijab and was aware that it is a religious practice of Muslim women to wear a head scarf.

Payne admitted to investigators that he walked up the aisle to where the woman was sitting and stopped next to her seat. He then told her to take off the scarf, and said something to the effect of, “Take it off! This is America!” He then removed the hijab and pulled it off the woman’s head, exposing her and leaving her feeling violated.

“No matter one’s faith, all Americans are entitled to peacefully exercise their religious beliefs free from discrimination and violence,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Using or threatening force against individuals because of their religion is an affront to the fundamental values of this nation, and the Civil Rights Division will continue to be vigilant in protecting the religious liberties guaranteed to all Americans.”

http://www.wcnc.com/news/crime/gastonia-man-pleads-guilty-to-removing-muslim-womans-head-scarf-during-flight/192539129

[Ilsa]

1. He believes free exercise of religious rights

only applies to his RW fundy Christian buddies.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

2. K&R