The city of Nice, still shaken by last month’s deadly extremist attack, has joined a growing list of French sites to ban the body-covering burkini swimsuit.
Leading officials argue that the swimwear, resembling a full-body wetsuit with a hood, oppresses women and violates France’s secular principles. But many see the bans as discriminatory.
WATCH: Cannes bans full-body ‘burkini’ swimsuits from beaches citing security concerns
READ MORE: French PM supports local bans of burkini swimsuits
Nice was devastated when a truck driver attacked crowds watching fireworks on July 14, killing 85 people in violence claimed by the Islamic State group. About a third of the victims were from Nice’s large Muslim community, which is both in mourning and fearing a backlash.
The Nice administration issued an order Thursday banning swimwear with religious connotations, citing security concerns.
Several other cities on France’s Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts have banned burkinis this summer.
READ MORE: Burkini swimwear banned in 3rd French town after tense clash
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