A North Carolina man pleaded guilty Friday to one count of using force for ripping the hijab, or headscarf, off of a Muslim woman during their flight from Chicago to Albuquerque, N.M. last December because her religious practice bothered him.
“No matter one’s faith, all Americans are entitled to peacefully exercise their religious beliefs free from discrimination and violence,” Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said in a press release Friday. “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.”
Gill Parker Payne, 37, of Gastonia, N.C., had been sitting a few rows behind the woman, referred to as K.A. in court documents. During the Southwest flight, he approached K.A. and insisted she take off her hijab.
“Take it off! This is America!” court papers indicate he yelled at her.
K.A., who was wearing the hijab as a customary religious practice, did not indulge Payne’s request.
Payne responded by yanking the hijab off K.A., leaving her head exposed. A report noted the woman felt “violated” and immediately took the garment back from him and covered her head again.
The prosecutors said they hope this case sends a “clear message” to those who seek to threaten or intimidate others based on their religious beliefs.
Payne’s sentencing hearing has not been set.
