The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the state’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the removal of a “Let Gaza Live” sign from a Bergen County Technical School classroom upon pressure from Congressman Josh Gottheimer.
Based on emails reviewed by CAIR-NJ, a parent who attended Back To School Night at the school reached out to Congressman Gottheimer’s office requesting their assistance with removing the sign. The Congressman’s office then reached out to Superintendent Dr. Lerner, who had the sign removed without any discussion with the teacher.
In a letter sent to Dr. Howard Lerner, Superintendent of Bergen County Technical Schools, CAIR-NJ’s Public Affairs Director, Naureen Akhter, notes:
“Elsewhere in the building, classroom doors and windows display ‘I Stand With Immigrants’ and ‘Stand With Ukraine’ stickers, and at least one classroom displays a Black Lives Matter flag,” and “Prior to the September removal of the sign, District Administrators regularly observed [the] classroom while the sign was displayed and never suggested that it violated any policy.”
SEE: CAIR-NJ Letter to Superintendent of Bergen County Technical Schools
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter said:
“The interference by a Congressional office into a public high school classroom while appalling, is not surprising, given Congressman Gottheimer’s track record of silencing pro-Palestinian voices. That this one sign was targeted while other social justice and global affairs signs remain up is a profound failure by the District’s leadership to apply public messaging criteria evenly.”
“We are disappointed in the Superintendent’s actions and call on him to course correct: allow the sign to be reinstated, protect your classrooms from political interference, and give your teachers the courtesy of a discussion before partaking in heavy-handed measures.”
SEE: Rep. Josh Gottheimer Goes to War Against High Schoolers Protesting for Gaza
CAIR-NJ continues to stand with Palestinians against attempts to erase their stories, silence their advocacy, and distort the reality of the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, [email protected], 908-921-1238