A teenage girl drew Lady Liberty in a hijab and Islamophobes are not happy

Every year high school students across the US compete in the Congressional Art Competition, submitting works of art to be featured at the US Capitol.

This year, one girl painted her own depiction of the Statue of Liberty. Lady Liberty was painted with brown skin and donning a hijab in what is believed to be a political statement - representing the plight of Muslims in the US.

The painting made it to the finals and is now hanging proudly in the office of congressman, J. Luis Correa [democrat].

But a group of Islamophobic, white supremacists are not happy about this.

— Gerard 🇳🇱🇪🇺🇺🇸 (@GTvehicle) August 6, 2017" style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post TRAVESTY OF LIBERTY — California Dem Keeps Hijab Statue of Liberty Painting in Office:https://t.co/ffaeLzJFuG … pic.twitter.com/aNii7wiFQ5 — Gerard 🇳🇱🇪🇺🇺🇸 (@GTvehicle) August 6, 2017

They view the depiction of Lady Liberty in a hijab as un-American (definition please?):

— Sharon Remund (@SharonRemund) August 10, 2017 " style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post UnAmerican. 😣😵😣😣 Remove it now!!!!! Dem Rep Has Painting of Statue of Liberty in a Hijab Hanging in His Office https://t.co/8cW2pYY8Cl — Sharon Remund (@SharonRemund) August 10, 2017

If an American congressman is un-American, what is American?

— ΑCloudنOf✡WitnessesΩ (@Hebrews12_123) August 5, 2017" style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post A Painting of ’Statue of Liberty’ In a Hijab Hanging in UNAMERICAN @RepLouCorrea Office Is Raising Some Questions https://t.co/YDrn8bjawG — ΑCloudنOf✡WitnessesΩ (@Hebrews12_123) August 5, 2017

There were also calls to ban Islam. While this type of a rhetoric can sometimes be dismissed, let's not forget the innocent lives that have been taken at the hands of Islamophobic fascists.

— 🇺🇸#FireHRMcMaster (@autumnrainwater) August 12, 2017" style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post This is the Islamification of USA. BAN ISLAM CA Congressman Defends Painting Of Hijab-Clad Lady Liberty https://t.co/OFyt1Ufgry — 🇺🇸#FireHRMcMaster (@autumnrainwater) August 12, 2017

This angry tweeter refers to men as the "backbone of society" in a chauvinist attempt to intellectually cushion Islamophobia? We're just as confused at this... sorry.

— UShouldNoBetter (@UShouldN0Better) August 9, 2017 " style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post Men r backbone of civilization, women r its conscience. #Islam abuse > women is why it remains a brutal culture. https://t.co/sw5KriEiou — UShouldNoBetter (@UShouldN0Better) August 9, 2017

What's striking is that it's almost as though these users don't know the first amendment, which enshrines the right to freedom of religion.

Lou Correa's reaction to all of this outrage?

— Rep. Lou Correa (@RepLouCorrea) August 11, 2017" style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post Never be afraid to express yourself. https://t.co/n52HdNNBJw — Rep. Lou Correa (@RepLouCorrea) August 11, 2017