Activists wearing burqas, niqabs march through Copenhagen to protest face veil ban

Hundreds of activists gathered in Copenhagen on Wednesday to protest Denmark’s recently passed burqa ban.

Reuters reported that about 1,300 people, many wearing face veils such as the burqa and niqab, marched to the police station on the outskirts of the capital and back to the city’s central, left-wing district.

In May, Denmark became the latest in a series of European nations to ban face veils in public, saying that it is a necessary measure to uphold the country’s secular values. The ban went into effect on Wednesday.

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Opponents have said the ban is religious discrimination. Belgium, France and the German state of Bavaria, among other nations, have issued similar bans.

Marchers chanted “no racists in our streets” and “my life, my choice,” according to Reuters.

“We need to send a signal to the government that we will not bow to discrimination and a law that specifically targets a religious minority,” one participant wearing a niqab told the wire service.

Women found violating the ban may be instructed by police to remove their veils, ordered to leave public areas, or can face fines of up to about $1,600 USD or six months in jail.