NY museum fires 3 employees for wearing keffiyehs in violation of new dress code

New York City’s Noguchi Museum says it fired three employees after they violated its updated dress code by wearing keffiyeh head scarves, which have become an emblem of solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

Last month, the art museum — founded by Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi — announced a policy prohibiting employees from wearing anything that expressed “political messages, slogans or symbols.”

“While we understand that the intention behind wearing this garment was to express personal views, we recognize that such expressions can unintentionally alienate segments of our diverse visitorship,” it says in a statement.

Natalie Cappellini, one of the three gallery attendants who was fired, takes to Instagram to say the museum leadership is weaponizing the term “political” against the Palestinian cause.

Reuters is unable to reach the other two fired employees.