Muslim Fort Carson soldier says hijab led to harassment, discrimination from superiors

A Muslim soldier based in Fort Carson intends to sue the U.S. Army over allegations of discrimination and harassment that began shortly after she started wearing a hijab.

Spc. Cesilia Valdovinos, who has been in the military for seven years and has served in Afghanistan, converted to Islam in 2016. Since she started wearing her hijab, a head cover, at work, she has been subjected to name-calling, increased personal inspections and has been demoted, she and her attorney, Mikey Weinstein of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation said.

“It’s been harsh; it’s been hard,” Valdovinos told The Denver Post in an interview.

Weinstein said a federal lawsuit will be filed as soon as he determines whether it should originate in Colorado, where Fort Carson is located, or in Virginia where the Pentagon is. They also are looking into filing a complaint with the U.S. Civil Rights Commission.

Read more: https://www.denverpost.com/2019/04/05/muslim-fort-carson-soldier-hijab/