Wild Scene Erupts at Playland: Police Arrest 15 in Dispute Over Muslim Hijab
- Posted on August 30, 2011 at 9:30pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
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A massive disturbance broke out at Playland Park in Westchester County, New York, Tuesday when a group of Muslim visitors grew angry over park rules forbidding the use of “headgear” on some of its rides. The headgear, in this instance, was the traditional Muslim head covering — often called a hijab — worn by women.
Authorities from allegedly nine different agencies descended on the fun-park after county police responded to the disturbance, which by that time, involved some 30 to 40 people. Local reports indicate some 3,000 Muslim-Americans had gathered at the park.
Photo Credit: Ryan Villarreal for The Daily Greenburgh
By 4:30 p.m., nearly two hours after the altercation broke out, some three dozen police cruisers blocked Playland’s entrance and a helicopter was seen flying overhead. A reporter allegedly counted roughly 60 cruisers on the scene from various agencies.
According to reports, twelve men and three women were arrested, mostly for disorderly conduct, and two park rangers were injured in the scuffle. So far two have been charged with felony assault after officials asserted they attacked park rangers.
Lohud reports that the group of Muslims were at Playland to celebrate the Islamic holiday of Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The outing was allegedly organized by the Muslim American Society of New York.
Playland spokesman Peter Tartaglia stated that park officials were clear in expressing to MASNY the safety reasons behind the headgear ban but said the rules might not have been communicated by the organizer to some of the attendees. The ban, implemented nearly four years ago, is intended to keep hats and other head coverings from falling onto the tracks and derailing rides. “It’s a safety issue on rides. If it’s a scarf, you could choke,” Tartaglia said.
According to reports, Playland’s policies, posted on its website, include the statement: “All items and clothing must be appropriately secured while on a ride; some smaller items can be stored/secured in cargo pockets or waist pouches. Hats must be secured, and jackets/sweaters must be worn properly and not around the waist while on a ride. Some rides do not allow backpacks, purses or head gear of any kind.”
Lohud explains what happened as the scene grew volatile:
Accounts of what had happened varied, but everyone agreed the dispute began after park-goers were told the headgear ban applied to women wearing traditional Muslim head coverings, known as hijabs.
Tartaglia said once word of that got out there were “a lot of unhappy people.”
He said park officials were in the process of arranging refunds when members of the Muslim group got into a scuffle with each other.
The two rangers, seasonal county police employees, were hurt trying to break it up, he said. He said one suffered an injured knee and the other an injured shoulder.
Lola Ali, 16, of Astoria said she had witnessed a group of girls and women wearing hijabs go to park security to confront them about the headgear issue.
She said the women were upset and yelling. She said the security officers started pushing them away and the girls stood their ground, at which point the security officers grabbed them, pushed them to the ground and handcuffed them.
Men within the park saw this and tried to intervene, Ali said, and the situation went downhill from there.
“They were beating down the girls then they started beating down the guys,” Ali claimed.
Earlier in the day a park employee reportedly told Journal News that a woman wearing a hijab either pushed or hit a ride operator who forbade her from wearing the head covering on the ride. The employee asserted that a police officer attempted to restrain the woman, but the woman’s husband took offense, at which point a multiple-person fight broke out.
The park was even closed off to new visitors for a period of time until the situation was diffused. Some of those involved in the incident, however, believe the amount of police response was overkill:
Ali and Gina Shibah of Yonkers said the amount of police response was unnecessary.
“Sixty vehicles, it’s wasting our taxpayer dollars,” Ali Shibah said.
Sal Mohumed of Brooklyn said he hoped for a refund for himself and his two cousins.
“I thought we would come and play in Playland,” he said. “There’s no playing here. Coney Island is better than this.”
Below is audio of an interview between a police officer at the scene and a local Harrison Patch reporter:
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Comments (469)
jueta
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:34pmWe want special rules for us and if you don’t give them to us we will raise our voices, start talking and even yelling really loud to draw attention to us and then, wait for it, wait for it! Then we will shout RACIST!
Report Post »LinkedIn G
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:40pmThe boy who cried wolf … er … I mean … racism …
Report Post »Firebrand
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:01amAre you trying to say that equal doesn’t equal special? That makes you racist. Everyone knows that.
Report Post »Morris
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:56amDid you hear about Dictator Barack Hussein Obamas book that he is now reading??????
Obama is raeding “THE POST AMERICAN WORLD”??????????????
WAKE THE HELL UP AMERICA!!!!!!!!
Dictator Obama is working everyday with the “MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD” and SOROS with all of his money is funding all of these Muslim Organizations,Obama,Soros and the Muslim Brotherhood,are working overtime to over throw our United States of America!!!!!!!
“WE THE PEOPLE” Must IMPEACH this Muslim Dictator ,Get him and his Corrupt “POLITICAL CORRECTNESS” Administration the hell out of Washington DC!!
This Administration is out to destroy our Republic our America,they must be stopped now,
Problem is Soros has so much money and Obama and Soros can buy anything and everything
that they want,There is so much corruption in this Administration now that it is a sin what this
Obama is trying to do to our America!
Let start working on the IMPEACHMENT OF DICTATOR OBAMA NOW!!!!
Don’t care if you are a Republican or a Democrat,We must work together to save our America!!
Report Post »Fight for America
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:34pmIt’s like stop signs – yes, the rules do apply to you. Stop as you’re supposed to – not a rolling “stop”, not an ignore the stop.
Take the rules and follow them. If you don‘t like the rules or can’t/won’t abide by them, don’t go there. You are NOT better than everyone else. Act like grownups. Everything is NOT about you, your politics/religion.
Report Post »Oldbutnotsenile
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 12:50amJust wait and see how many Muslims show up for this take out the government planned for October in Washington D.C. They will push us to the limit, and when they protest, we must fight back. If we don’t they will soon take away all our rights given by the Constitution. We cannot let that happen. Their aim is to rule the world and everyone convert to Islam or die.l
Report Post »grannyjojo
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:33pmQuit whining and go somewhere else where they will allow you to ride with your headgear on….Oh, they probably WON’T due to the same rules, safety. Its your responsiblity to adhere to the rules of the park. They don’t make those rules haphazardly, they are trying to keep you safe, the other patrons safe and the park from being sued into bankruptcy. If its a privately owned park, they can make the rules and ensure a safe and good time for all. You don’t like it, DON’T GO. Use your “power” by not spending your money at their establishment. Its still America and we don’t subscribe to your demands, especially when others safety is put into jeopardy just to satisfy your “religous” headgear” rules. In other words, act like an adult and quit your bi##ching and move along. “Every knee will bow and every tongue confess”
Report Post »nmontague
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:33pmI can’t believe they got violent over this. They are trying to keep you ALIVE!!! And you object to that on religious grounds? If you don’t like that then dont go on those rides. Or in alternative, don’t go to the park. No one was forcing you to be there. They offered to refund your money. There is no need to start an issue.
Report Post »UrbanCombatSurvivor
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:21amIf you can‘t believe it I must assume you haven’t ever had to deal with muslims before…
Report Post »clawless
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 7:55pmMaybe we should allow them to wear that junk. If a scarf wraps around a metal bar and pops their head off… oh well. Change the lawsuit laws so that they don’t get a dime and neither does their lawyer.
You need to understand that their women and children are ammunition aimed at you!
Report Post »Oldbutnotsenile
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 12:56amHow do they ever get anything done when they have to stop and pray to Allah I believe five times a day or more. They look like they were completely blocking the entrance to the park. I think they use their prayer order to cause confustion, like they do in N.Y. city blocking an entire street because their mosque isn’t big enough to hold all of them. Then go to the one down the street instead of blocking the street. And our law enforcement let it happen. This is part of their reasoning behind the building of the Muslim Center and Mosque because the ones in downtown are not big enough. Bullcrap…..
Report Post »SilentReader
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:32pmThe Mohammedist Supremacists are out in full force asking for their special treatment again. This time they’re demanding to wear head gear when it is clearly the policy of Playland Park to ban head gear of any kind because of safety considerations. Which certainly makes sense to all of us. Stay off the rides if you don’t want to abide by the policies. Like the rest of us. In America our rules are for everyone and there are no exceptions or special privileges for one class of people over another. It’s equal justice under the law.
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 11:32pmMistaken identity on the part of the Muslims……….mistook the U.S. for the U.K.
Report Post »kreese
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 11:50pmWith all of the PC in this country, equal justice ended long ago.
Report Post »Fitz of DE
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:32pmWhy you must join the prayer team for GBTV & all who work for or with them. COntact Prayers for GB… until we bury the enemy..
ZAP
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:31pmStone them!
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:30pmLooks like headgear to me. Take it off to ride, or leave it on, and walk away. Go to their nice camel petting zoo, instead. Go have a hot dog and a Beer. Chill out.
Report Post »Don’t act like a bunch of barbaric radicals. No wonder these people have a bad reputation.
I don’t like them. I don’t think we will be able to coincide on the same soil for long.
decendentof56
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 4:54amMuslims will use these tactics time after time. They will probe for opportunities to attack our way of life and governance. I‘m guessing this whole ’outing’ was planned from the beginning to challange park policies.
Report Post »What was the deal with the prayer scene? Do they just drop to their knees and block walkways whenever its time to offer prayer to Mecca? They do it in France. Will we in America allow it?
These people cannot co-exist in America.
TrailBlazer66
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:30pmDitto to that!!
Report Post »survivorseed
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:30pmThere was a case of an Australian woman who got her headscarf caught in the axle of a go cart she was driving, strangled her to death.
Report Post »If people are going to be that adamant not to remove their religious garb for safety reasons, can’t we at least make them sign a waiver to say they understand the risks they are taking.
If the risk is to others then they should not be allowed to ride, simple.
co-exist
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 7:02pmbut you realize playland is the ONLY park that does not allow this? AND there is also a style of headscarf that does not even go below the chin, nor does it even reach 1 inch from the face, can that get caught? I think not. Also, playland park profited thousands that day from the Muslim American Society, yet NO one was notified of the restrictions. The people who went on strike were angry (because most of the people were playing peacefully), Simple.
Report Post »MuyLocoNC
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:28pmReally, they were BEATING the girls, doubtful. These people will lie without the slightest remorse.
No waivers, the loose headgear could cause the ride to derail, heck with that. That affects all the people on the ride, not just the hadjie with the noggin diaper.
Report Post »Steve
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:11amtaqiyya
Report Post »TrailBlazer66
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:28pmThe so called “religion of peace” Muzzlums at it again – the audacity to defy established rules and demand special treatment in OUR country. I’m afraid this is only the beginning of the end of this type thing. They will weasel in anywhere they can using our idiotic system of political correctness against us. At least they didn’t appear to get away with it in this time, until the park is sued by their well funded terrorist organization. It is just a matter of time until their agenda happens. Look at Europe etc. Same thing is gaining momentum here. It seems to coincide with their increase in population. Goodbye USA unless we get some better laws in place to protect ourselves from this pestilence.
Report Post »HTuttle
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:26pmReligious freedom ends when it impinges on safety for others.
Report Post »brian8793
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:26pmWhat does that mean? Kick them out? Kill them? You sound like a weirdo with that redneck talk.
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:23pmTake a roller coaster to Sandland .
Report Post »Where laws conform to your superstitions.
Lion420
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:22pmIMHO it’s typical really. Childish and violent.
Report Post »FriendOfChrist
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:22pmIt will be a good day when all of the muslims are gone
Report Post »afishfarted
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:28pmthis is nothing more than a provocation on the muslim’s part. Knowing that there are safety rules, they intentionally caused a scene for a couple potential reasons; 1) to file a discrimination suit or 2) force shraria law by default. Either way, there is great potential for the American public to loose. And being in New York, I think we know which way this will fall
Report Post »kreese
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 11:54pmWell,we can hope.
Report Post »Cherynn
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:32amTime to start building the showers and cleanse ourselves of these savages
Report Post »Julieta
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 11:58pmI totally agree! America is Christian and I WILL fight to keep America Christian. It is high time we do something about it! What they are doing is advertising their savage religion and those who don’t conform off with their heads like they did with David Pearl. He is dead but not forgotten. What they did with the people in the twin towers and other terrorist activities in America and all over the world. I am tired of seeing them in the news every day! We must pray to get rid of this plague! Their goal is to convert the world to Islam. They did it in centuries past and here they go again to no avail. We need to be bold and put them in a boat back to the place where they came from. Muslims: If you are not Americans and don’t assimilate? GO BACK TO THE MIDDLE EAST! AND STOP CAUSING TROUBLE! Trying to convert the children who belong to Christ? You will have a big fight in your hands and you will loose at the end. Read the Book of Revelation!
Report Post »ezeewhiz
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:21pmAnyone there possess somrthing called common sense? Have your rich muslim brothers buy you folks an amusement park just for muslims. Use the money us embicels pay out for all that muslim oil. Then you can have your muslim rules at your muslim amusement park and then when a scarf strangles one of your muslims to death then you may have a muslim funeral!!!! Comprende?
Report Post »jueta
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:41pmWhy do we allow people who are non-citizens own property here? Anyone! A home builder I know trusted his mexican workers and they talked him in to being the $ on a farming set up in Mexico. He gave them $ to buy land and equipment when he went down to check how things were going it was all just sitting around rusting away all because He not being Mexican citizen could not purchase and own land in Mexico. I want those rules here!
Report Post »garbagecanlogic
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:19pmIf you are ugly as sin or have a really bad hair day, why not be allowed to wear a hijab? Get one for Nancy Pelosi while you are at it!
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:17pmstick to riding camels ………………they dont have rules meant to keep your head on your neck
if you make choices based on religious ideology, you also must accept the FACT that you may also have to not participate in activities others are doing
dont like it???? take the offending article of clothing off or take your business elsewhere
Report Post »brian8793
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:27pmWell said, except I’m not sure why you have to say they should ride “camels.” Other than that hateful sterotype, I agree.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 11:53pm@ brian
not everything is hateful and whats wrong with riding camels? they do that everyday in their homeland ………………………and they can wear the towel on their head there all they want
Report Post »decendentof56
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 5:04amPhychosis……Brian is obviously conflicted with the reality that we must face here in America. He seems to agree that the Muslims should follow park rules, but he fails to recognize that the incident at Playland is a precurser to more challenges to our way of life and our customs. The plan is to do to America what they have done to England, France, and other countries.
Report Post »ColoradoMaverick
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:17pmrules are rules. These rules forbidding headgear are obviously for safety, but the ignorant muslims in this story are making something out of nothing. They should have been arrested.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:16pmLola Ali, .
A truthful witness, she wouldn’t lie, Would She???
Next time give them free loooong scarves. But have them sign a insurance waiver, before the beheading, i mean ride.
Report Post »TrailBlazer66
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:31pmHAAAAAAAAaaaaaa!!!! Now that was a good one.
Report Post »airhead0
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 11:21pmThat is funny!
Whats not funny is if the ride operator been intimidated by these screaming cows, let them ride and then one of these women did indeed have their head removed because of the scarf, her husband would SUE the pants off that park. Of course since women have no real value, he would have to claim the death as loss/destruction of property.
Report Post »jojo
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:20pmThat wasn’t very nice, but it was funny!
Report Post »hightide
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:15pmSuch a peacfull religion.
Report Post »NeoFan
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:15pmMake an exception for them if they sign a waiver.
Report Post »Hungry_i
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:30pmExcellent suggestion.
Report Post »HappyStretchedThin
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:33pmSo have an attendant responsible to watch for falling stuff and stop the ride. Some rules are just dumb. This one’s not about safety, it’s about avoiding liability.
Report Post »ZAP
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:34pmwaiver is not worth the paper it`s written on.ask a lawyer
Report Post »rtk
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:38pmBad idea, the ban s intended to keep loose materials from falling on the tracks and derailing the ride, thus hurting all the riders.
Report Post »Melvin Spittle
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 12:45am@NeoFan There can be no exception due to the fact that loose articles are also a danger to other riders.
Report Post »Darla_K
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 6:37amWho is going to make a exception for me if their head gear derails the ride I am on?
Report Post »AMERICA4EVER
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:13pmOn some of them rides they could get hung by their hijab.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:26pmAnd your point is?
Report Post »bullcrapbuster
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:51pmThe point is,don’t bring a hiab to the park unless you have some drywall to unload.
Report Post »1_Smoot_Tall
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 11:23pmI’m sure Obama will make an anouncement soon saying that the Park Police “Acted Stupidly.”
Then we can have a “hijab” summit at the Whitehouse.
We are slouching toward shariah.
Report Post »1_Smoot_Tall
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 11:36pmHmmmmm…maybe Coney Island should have a hijab day! Other passengers can refuse to ride attractions until the tracks are certified hijab-free by a hijab inspector. If the hijab-wearers derail a car or get their head torn off, they’ll finally understand!
In a way, I can see the hijab-wearers’ dilemma; wear it – lose your head; take it off – lose your head. Religion of peace, right?
Bringing TOO much of your old ways to MY country is a form of protest against the way WE do things. If I were to wear a kilt, could I insist on using the ladies room since the image on the door is wearing a skirt? Such protests make me wonder WHY DID YOU COME HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE?
As a son of the American Revolution, I like the American culture just fine. I do not assimilate to foreigners, they assimilate to me, or I refuse to bless them with my presence, business, assistance, or friendship. Ever heard a muslim sound appreciative that we have ALLOWED them to come here? If so, was it a case of taqiyya?
And to you muslim “men”, we are tired of accommodating you. You hide your women from our society’s eyes while gawking at other women around you. Double standard! When will your hatred for your women end? Also, your women are not that attractive, you don’t need to hide them from us. We don’t want them. We’re not going to pounce on them in a sex-rage. Come to think of it – sometimes I’m kind of glad you cover them up.
If you can’t blend in – open your own d*
Report Post »AMERICA4EVER
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 11:40pmEnough said.
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