Personal Info
- Country of residence: United States
Information
Tahanie A. Aboushi is a Palestinian-American civil rights lawyer and a partner at The Aboushi Law Firm in New York City, along with two of her siblings. She contested as a Democratic candidate for Manhattan District Attorney in the June 2021 primary election, securing the third position.
Early Life
Aboushi was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, after her parents migrated from Palestine to the United States. At the age of 14, her father received a 22-year prison sentence, leaving her mother to raise ten children single-handedly. Aboushi cites her family's story as one of the motivations behind her decision to run for District Attorney.
She is also the sister of Los Angeles Chargers offensive guard Oday Aboushi.
Education:
Aboushi earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies from St. Johns University and her Juris Doctor degree in 2009 from Syracuse University College of Law.
Career
In 2010, Aboushi established The Aboushi Law Firm, focusing on significant civil rights cases.
Aboushi's legal expertise, immigrant background, and Muslim faith prompted her to offer legal assistance at JFK Airport in Queens immediately after President Donald Trump's 2017 Executive Order 13769, part of the Trump travel bans, impacting affected individuals. For her community contributions during this time, New York State Senator Jesse Hamilton honored Aboushi with the Shirley Chisholm Women of Excellence Award.
Aboushi took legal action against the New York City Police Department for violating religious rights by forcing criminally arraigned women to remove their hijabs for mugshots while in police custody, resulting in a settlement where the women received $60,000 each in 2018.
She represented a 21-year-old woman hospitalized after being shoved by a New York City police officer during a May 2020 Black Lives Matter protest in Brooklyn. The officer faced charges and suspension without pay, prompting Aboushi to file a federal civil rights lawsuit six months later against the city, the officer, the supervisor who witnessed the incident, and the NYPD.
Manhattan District Attorney Race:
Despite significant achievements in her career, Aboushi aimed for broader systemic change through public office. She initiated her campaign for New York County District Attorney in January 2020.
Aboushi's platform centered on shifting focus from securing convictions to addressing crime root causes, advocating for community investment in housing, healthcare, income, food, transportation, and utilities. Additionally, she proposed ending cash bail and decriminalizing poverty, mental health issues, substance abuse, and sex work.
Aboushi's candidacy received endorsements from various political figures, progressive organizations, and unions. Had she won, Aboushi would have been the first woman, Muslim, and Palestinian American to hold the office.
Achievements and Awards
- Years in active
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