Alaa Massri was unlawfully arrested during a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Miami, FL on the 10th of June, 2020. ​

After witnessing an individual being hit with a police vehicle, Alaa Massri saw another vehicle approaching a small group of protesters. Being the team's medic, she rushed to go aid whomever might have been injured but was stopped by 6-8 cops in riot gear. After repeatedly asking the police officers (Officer Corral, #41643) not to touch her, in a polite yet concerned manner, Ms. Massri attempted to walk away. Instead, she was surrounded and arrested. Alaa was then zip-tied and later charged with battery, resisting an officer with violence, and disorderly conduct. Witnesses observed that she was not acting in a disorderly fashion and was simply coming to the aid of an injured individual.

Once handcuffed at TGK (correctional facility), Ms.Massri’s hijab (headscarf) was unlawfully removed. Her mugshot was then taken without it on. That photo was then broadcasted to national television and numerous media outlets. She was also not allowed to have her hijab on for the remainder of the seven hours she was there. 

Ms. Massri had her human as well as Constitutional rights blatantly violated in a number of ways;

- Her 1st Amendment right to peacefully protest was egregiously infringed on when she was arrested with no inciting incident or probable cause for her detainment. 

- Her 5th Amendment to the United States Constitution, was violated as she was not read her Miranda Rights until 4 hours after detainment. Law enforcement is required to read rights to a detainee. However, this becomes a null point when the detainee has already been in custody for several hours. 

- Her 1st Amendment right to freedom of religion and Florida's Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) were violated. As a Muslim, Ms. Massri is required to cover her hair with a traditional headscarf (hijab). She repeatedly made officers aware of this fact, yet they still removed her hijab in front of male police officers (completely disrespecting her way of life). They also took her mugshot with her hijab off and distributed it to news outlets (further spreading the lack of compassion they had for her). They consciously took away her rights to be a woman practicing Islam and spread an image she never thought would be out in the world. 

We are demanding Justice for Alaa Massari and accountability for the growing concerning that is Miami Police department.

Your support will be used:

1. To cover any costs in the defense of Alaa including bail and court costs. 
2. To cover costs in a civil suit against the police department and jail to hold them accountable and ensure this doesn’t happen again. 
3. To support a campaign to change all police department polices in Florida to protect the hijab of Muslim women arrested. 
4. To support organizations standing up for Black Lives that Alaa is involved with including Fempower bail fund, The Sound, and it’s medic team