North Penn Student Who Had Hijab Ripped Off By Peers Could Face Criminal Charges

Lawmakers, religious officials and other community members in Montgomery County say Sanaa Beaufort, however, was the victim.

Beaufort was fighting with two classmates in the school cafeteria on May 4, when the girls pulled her hijab off of her head, CBS Philly says citing her attorney.

The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and Towamencin police said they "found no evidence that racial or religious bias motivated" in the 32-second fight.

Beaufort's father said that Sanaa had been exonerated by school officials and received an apology from the girls after the fight, and believes that's where this situation should have ended for his daughter, he told CBS Philly.

However, charges could soon be filed against Sanaa.  

Community members turned out in droves to the Montgomery County Courthouse Wednesday, saying the impending charges are unjust.

A Change.org petition for Sanaa started by Kacey Bergbauer had garnered 31,867 of the 35,000 signatures needed as of Thursday morning.

"North Penn High School has suspended for defending herself and refused to designate this attack as a hate crime," the petition reads. 

"Sign this petition to let the school know that we will not let racially and religiously charged hate crimes be pushed aside."

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