Lesbian model-turned DEI manager is fired by university for posing in front of ... trends now
A model-turned DEI manager who was fired because she posed in front of an Israeli flag emblazoned with swastikas is now suing because her First Amendment rights were 'violated'.
Mashal Sherzad, 29, was fired from her position as the diversity, equity and inclusion manager at the University of Minnesota because of now seemingly deleted pictures that she accidentally uploaded onto her public social media of her posing in front of the controversial flag.
Sherzad, who identified as Muslim, and who is in a relationship with a woman, began her role in October, 2023, and travelled to Barcelona to attend a pro-Palestinian rally just two months later. She shared pictures of herself from the rally - including snaps of her posing in front of the swastika-embezzled Israeli flag.
She was removed from her DEI manager job for the university's School of Public Health on January 16 after the Dean, Melinda Pettigrew, said her employment would create a 'real risk of significant disruption.'
Sherzad has since filed a lawsuit against the school for violating First Amendment right to free speech - along with claims of discrimination.
'I did nothing wrong. They discarded a proud Queer, Muslim, Afghan and SWANA woman,' she has claimed
Mashal Sherzad, a model-turned DEI manager who was fired because she posed in front of an Israeli flag emblazoned with swastikas is now suing because her First Amendment rights were 'violated'
Mashal Sherzad, 29, was fired from her position as the diversity, equity and inclusion manager at the University of Minnesota because of now seemingly deleted pictures that she accidentally uploaded onto her public social media of her posing in front of the controversial Israel/Swastikas flag
Sherzad has since filed a lawsuit against the school for violating First Amendment right to free speech - along with claims of discrimination
Sherzad is seen pictured with her girlfriend Ralena Young, who owns a restaurant and bar in Minnesota
'I did nothing wrong. They discarded a proud Queer, Muslim, Afghan and SWANA woman,' she has claimed.
She has asked to have her job reinstated and is requesting over $75,000 in damages.
The 29-year-old model uses Instagram to share pro-Palestinian content to her 4,000 followers. Her biography section suggests she has worked for famed modeling agency Ford - and Sherzad has shared scores of photos of her striking good looks.
She appears to have modeled herself on Kim Kardashian, with one snap showing a collage of her face next to that of the reality star, who has long denied rumors that her looks are the result of extensive cosmetic surgeries.
Sherzad has posted videos of herself chanting at rallies in support of Palestine, pictures comparing Nazi occupied Poland to Israeli occupied Palestine and plenty of pro-Palestine infographics and protest pics.
She also uses shares an array of glamorous selfies, bikini pics, couples-content with her girlfriend Ralena Young, a restaurateur and glamorous photos from her endless travels.
The activist showed up to a news conference on Friday
