VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — When Derrick Merdy came to the Virginia Beach courthouse for his brother’s hearing in May, he didn’t expect to end up pinned to the floor and hauled off to jail.
Courthouse policy prohibits hats in the courtrooms, unless they are religious or medically necessary. Merdy was wearing a kufi in keeping with his Muslim faith.
“I’ve been wearing one since I was six years old — schools, work, even my time in the service,” Merdy said. “I never had an issue with it before.”…