A Connecticut woman says a roller rink’s request that she either remove or cover her traditional Muslim head scarf was discriminatory.
Marisol Rodriguez-Colon of Windsor tells WTIC-TV that she and her sister-in-law went to the Ron-A-Roll indoor rink in Vernon on Sunday for her niece’s birthday party. She says inside, a woman who identified herself as a manager, told them they would have to either remove their hijabs or wear helmets. She was told the rink has a policy prohibiting headwear.
Rodriguez-Colon said removing her scarf was “not an option,” and they left.
Rink management issued a statement reiterating the no headwear policy and saying helmets are offered for safety purposes.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations says it has filed a complaint with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.
Associated Press, 24 November 2010
See also CTnow.com, 23 November 2010
Update: See “Connecticut roller rink defends policy on headscarves after Muslim woman complains”, Fox News, 24 November 2010