ringo
"My response has always been that removing the symbol doesn't remove the oppression."
No one argued against you on this.
But why do you think that governments are forbidding smoking even where the smoke would not offend or reach people?
Consider that it might be the same psychological reason I gave you for the garb.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Did you also note the stats I found that says that 75% of Muslim women feel forced to wear the garb in question?
Do you still think that the law should ignore the 75% just to appease the 25% whose indoctrination tells them that their invisible and absentee God wants them to cover their heads and faces?
Regards
DL