Recently, photos emerged of four French police officers in Nice demanding that a woman wearing a headscarf and long sleeves remove layers of her clothing. Following the altercation, the woman was then issued a ticket of $42 for not “wearing an outfit respecting good morals and secularism.” The woman’s ensemble resembled what is being called the “burkini” or a bathing suit that completely covers the entire body. 

The swimsuit is designed to be “in line with Islamic values.” As of this summer, the bathing suit became banned in a total of 15 French towns, including the popular Nice and Cannes. This incident did not come out of thin air nor was it a complete surprise. France has been on edge and cracking down on terrorism ever since the tragic Bastille Day parade massacre by a man who had pledged allegiance to ISIS, killing 80 civilians.

Although French officials believe that the burkas and burkinis contribute to the inability to assimilate to France’s values, many disagree, stating that burkas and burkinis actually allow more freedom in the Western culture for women and children.

“I hope the French prime minister and the mayors see that they should find out how to combine communities, how to work around issues, instead of harming the community, taking the beach away from some people and punishing them,” said Aheda Zanetti, the designer of the burkini. “That’s just hatred.” 

Not only did the photo cause outrage and debate within France, but it also sparked controversy around the world with several people believing it was “France’s attempt to tell people how to dress and behave.”

A few days later, further debate ensued when the mayor of Cannes, Lionnel Luca, came forward to the press explaining that he considered burkinis “unacceptable for hygienic reasons and that in general it was unwelcome.” 

Following Mayor Luca’s statement, an angry 200-person rally took place on a beach on the island of Corisca, becoming the third French town to outlaw the bathing suits. Unfortunately, the rally became violent as at least five people had to be taken to the hospital, coining the term “burkini brawl.”

However, due to the violence and rallies that took place, several French mayors justified the ban by claiming that the modest swimsuits could “exacerbate tension” and cause a “threat to public order.” 

Soon after the announcement, a formal court ruling took place, and two days later, several towns lifted the bans, with the exception of Corsica and Ghisonaccia. The ban was lifted to be in line with the national court ruling that the restriction “seriously and clearly illegally breached fundamental freedoms.”