Keffiyeh-clad student activist offered ‘sincerest apologies’ after removal from State Library of NSW
The State Library of NSW has offered its “sincerest apologies” to a HSC student kicked out for wearing a keffiyeh scarf while studying, after her complaint went viral on social media.
NSW
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The State Library of NSW has offered its “sincerest apologies” to a HSC student and pro-Palestine protest organiser after the teenager’s complaint about being kicked out for wearing a keffiyeh scarf went viral on social media.
The girl, who is a leader of the High School Students for Palestine activist group, took to Instagram on Sunday night claiming staff removed her while she was studying that afternoon, simply for wearing “a symbol of peace and solidarity”.
“I was informed that either I remove my scarf, or I leave the building,” she said.
“When I refused to remove it, they escorted me out with security.”
The video was shared more than 500 times, attracted thousands of ‘likes’ and hundreds of comments tagging the State Library and calling on the institution to fire the security guard responsible.
On Monday morning, the library issued a “public apology” on its social media platforms and website confirming the guard has been “spoken to” over the incident.
“The Library is deeply distressed to hear late yesterday that a student was asked to leave the Library by a security guard for wearing a keffiyeh,” the statement read.
“We want to extend our sincerest apologies to the student affected by this incident and encourage them to get in touch with the Library. The Library does not condone discrimination on the grounds of cultural dress.”
A spokeswoman added that the library has reached out to the student’s family, and said the student was “unfairly asked to leave … just for wearing keffiyeh”.
The Macquarie Street institution, which neighbours NSW Parliament to the south and the Royal Botanic Garden to the north, also confirmed its Chief Operating Officer has spoken directly to the security team about “their requirements in adhering” to the library’s code of conduct, and would “reaffirm” the code “with all staff members”.
The State Library’s Reader and Visitor Code of Conduct states that “using offensive language or displaying offensive imagery or signage is not acceptable”, and in its dress code states “clothing and accessories that display offensive imagery/text or that target a group or individual based on race, religion, gender or sexuality must not be worn”.
The keffiyeh, a traditional patterned scarf usually black and white in colour, has become a common sight around university campuses as a symbol of support for the Palestinian liberation movement.
In November 2023 actors from the Sydney Theatre Company sparked outrage after donning the scarf during the encore of an opening night show, as a form of protest against the “genocide” in Gaza.
The stunt was condemned by Jewish and non-Jewish patrons alike who described the incident as “partisan political action” that could “alienate theatregoers”.
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