A former Disneyland employee is getting the ACLU on her side as she gets ready to file a major lawsuit against the Walt Disney Corporation. Hijab is a religious veil that many Muslim women wear on their heads. The head scarf is worn an essential element of virtue and modesty, which is stated in the lawsuit.
Imane Boudlal worked as a hostess at a cafe for two years inside the Grand Californian Hotel, which is owned by Disney. She claims in her suit that she complained to management both verbally and in writing about being harassed and about being a Muslim from Morocco, but they did nothing about it. She claims things got much worse in 2010 when she decided to wear her Hijab all the time. She claims Disney denied her request for religious accommodation, telling her she could work out of sight in the rear of the restaurant or to wear a costume hat on top of her religious vail to cover it up. When she refused, she said she was fired.
She noted in her lawsuit that other employees were allowed to wear religious crosses, tattoos and other types of items.
In a news conference Monday morning, Boudlal described the kind of verbal harassment and said, "I complained to my manager so many times. I was called a camel, a terrorist, someone that speaks a terrorist language." "I was advised to just stop complaining and showing up to their office."
The lawsuit is asking for monetary damages for Boudlal, but it is also asking for Disney to change their policies on religious accommodations for Muslims and others who want to wear some of their religious items to work.
FOX 11 spoke to Disneyland earlier, and they said they are in the process of working on a reply to the lawsuit.
FOX 11 Legal Analyst Robin Sax also commented on this lawsuit, which can be looked at in two different issues: whether the uniform is a violation of Disney's policy, and the harassment in the workplace.
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:31 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:31:10 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:18 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:18:28 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:43 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:43:15 GMT
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan.
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan. The protesters said Thursday they want Wendy's to sign an agreement to safeguard working conditions for Florida tomato pickers.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:55:29 GMT
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:07:03 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:05 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:05:21 GMT
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z."
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z." Pitt stunned the crowd at the Clearview Cinemas when he walked in just before the start of the special screening.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:23:09 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
