Birth location: Brooklyn, New York
Biography:
Tahanie A. Aboushi is a Palestinian-American civil rights lawyer and partner at The Aboushi Law Firm in New York City with two of her siblings. She was a Democratic candidate for Manhattan District Attorney in the June 2021 Democratic primary election, finishing third in the primary. Aboushi’s platform included plans to decline to prosecute charges stemming from poverty, mental illness, substance use, or sex work, to hold law enforcement accountable, protect immigrants, invest in community-based programs, and center survivors and victims.
Early Life:
Aboushi was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York after her parents immigrated from Palestine to the United States. When she was 14 years old, her father was sentenced to 22 years in prison, leaving her mother as a single parent of ten children. This experience had a profound impact on Aboushi and became one of her motivations to run for District Attorney. She grew up witnessing the struggles faced by marginalized communities, which fueled her determination to fight for justice and equality.
Education:
Aboushi received her Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies from St. John’s University and went on to obtain her Juris Doctor degree in 2009 from Syracuse University College of Law. Her educational background equipped her with the knowledge and skills necessary to advocate for the rights of individuals and communities in need.
Career:
In 2010, Aboushi founded The Aboushi Law Firm, where she has handled notable civil rights cases. Her experience as an attorney, a child of immigrants, and being Muslim led her to JFK Airport in Queens immediately following the announcement of President Donald Trump’s 2017 Executive Order 13769, commonly known as one of the Trump travel bans. At the airport, she offered legal help to individuals who were affected by the order, ensuring that their rights were protected.
Aboushi’s dedication to fighting for religious rights was recognized when she sued the New York City Police Department for violations of religious rights. She represented three women involved in separate cases, claiming their rights were violated when police officers forced them to remove their hijabs for mugshots while in police custody. In 2018, the women received $60,000 each in a settlement with New York City, highlighting the importance of protecting religious freedom for all individuals.
Among her notable cases, Aboushi represented a 21-year-old woman who was hospitalized after being shoved to the ground by a New York City police officer during a May 2020 Black Lives Matter protest in Brooklyn. This incident, captured on video and quickly going viral, sparked outrage and raised public awareness about police brutality. Aboushi’s relentless advocacy led to the officer being suspended without pay and charged by the Brooklyn District Attorney with misdemeanor assault and other offenses. If convicted, he faces up to one year in jail. Six months later, Aboushi filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city, the officer, the officer’s supervisor who witnessed the incident, and…
Awards:
– Shirley Chisholm Women of Excellence Award: Tahanie Aboushi was awarded the Shirley Chisholm Women of Excellence Award by New York State Senator Jesse Hamilton. This award recognized her extraordinary contributions to the community and her dedication to her work as a civil rights lawyer.