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To: Fairfax County School Board and Superintendent

Abrar Omeish is a Racial Equity Champion: Stop the Slander

The only Arab and Muslim American, on the Fairfax County School Board, Abrar Omeish, is facing slanderous attacks that have resulted in death threats against her.

Specifically, Fairfax GOP Chairman Steve Knotts called for Omeish's resignation after hurling inaccurate statements falsely accusing her of being an "Israel hater" because she voiced solidarity with the Palestinian people. In fact, she wrote "Hurts my heart to celebrate while Israel kills Palestinians & desecrates the Holy Land right now. Apartheid & colonization were wrong yesterday and will be today, here and there. May justice + truth prevail." And then welcomed a dialogue with Jewish leaders tweeting the following: "War is terrible for everyone. I hear those hurting. I’m here for each of you. People of all faiths deserve Holy Land peace. Ensuring justice & honoring humanity of all remain urgent. I look ahead to robust & empathetic engagement with Jewish leaders. Let’s build together."

The characterizations by Knotts and the GOP are designed to shut down important dialogue and run counter to free speech principles. Education systems must welcome diverse opinions.

Fairfax County and its school board should not allow this unconstitutional behavior against Arabs or Muslims stand. Omeish has welcomed a construction conversation on this complex topic and never voiced "hate for Israel."

Why is this important?

The characterizations by Knotts and the GOP are designed to shut down important dialogue and run counter to free speech principles. Education systems must welcome diverse opinions.

Updates

2021-05-21 01:55:36 -0400

10,000 signatures reached

2021-05-18 00:11:43 -0400

5,000 signatures reached

2021-05-17 12:35:21 -0400

1,000 signatures reached

2021-05-17 10:55:27 -0400

500 signatures reached

2021-05-17 08:44:51 -0400

100 signatures reached

2021-05-17 08:13:38 -0400

50 signatures reached

2021-05-17 07:56:35 -0400

25 signatures reached

2021-05-17 07:33:51 -0400

10 signatures reached