Muslims protest against new law in Denmark that bans these religious garments

Muslims and their allies protested against a new law in Denmark that bans religious clothing used by the religious minority.

'Governmental hatred against Muslims'

Denmark passed the ban of the niqab, the face veil used by Muslims, in a 75-30 vote with 74 absentee votes in May. The law went into effect Wednesday.

“I see a discussion of what kind of society we should have with the roots and culture we have," said Justice Minister Soren Pape Poulsen, "that we don’t cover our face and eyes, we must be able to see each other and we must also be able to see each other’s facial expressions.

"It’s a value in Denmark,” he added.

Videos of the protest appeared on social media.

"These innocent yet strong women will be imprisoned just because they choose to cover up," read one tweet with a video. "This law is #discriminating a group of women and it is based on governmental hatred against muslims."

Another showed various supporters of the protest wearing Muslim coverings, wrestling masks, and even an "Occupy Wall Street" mask.

"I really hate this law, I think it's so embarrassing, and I cannot stand being a citizen in this co-called democracy with this kind of law," said a protester in a mask.

Balaclavas, false beards, and burqas are also banned by the new law. Denmark joins a number of other European countries with a similar ban.

Here's The Guardian news video about the protest: