Workers Bar Muslim Women From Obama Backdrop

Pair not allowed to sit behind candidate over headscarves; campaign apologizes
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 18, 2008 2:53 PM CDT
Workers Bar Muslim Women From Obama Backdrop
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., shakes hands before his speech at Kettering University in Flint, Mich., Monday, June 16, 2008.    (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Two Muslim women were barred from sitting behind Barack Obama during a rally Monday, with campaign volunteers concerned about headscarves appearing on TV and in pictures, Politico reports. One woman was told the "political climate" made her presence problematic; another was told headwear of any kind was off-limits in the assiduously assembled backdrop.

“I felt like I was discriminated against by the very person who was supposed to be bringing this change,” said the woman given the political explanation—for which the campaign has apologized. “An apology from him personally would be better,” she added, but "… I think it would suffice to have an invitation to their next rally and have seats behind him and show up on TV.” (More Barack Obama stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X