To: Educators
Educators of Conscience Decry Trump's Attack on Muslims
Read this call for all educators to denounce bigotry and add your signature!
Why is this important?
We, as educators of conscience, stand in defense of our Muslim Sisters and Brothers and formally denounce any and all anti-Muslim rhetoric and sentiment. American communities and their schools should be safe havens for all students, and we as educators must stand by all members of our community, regardless of faith.
Recent inflammatory statements by a presidential candidate serve only to divide us and to create an atmosphere of fear and prejudice. These statements are reminiscent of our nation’s past injustices, including:
the attacks on German-Americans during WWI
the wave of race riots against African-Americans after WWI
the blacklists of the McCarthy hearings in the 1950s
the barring of Jewish emigres into this country during WWII
the internment of Japanese and Italian Americans during WWII
We call on all public officials and candidates to denounce religious and racial bigotry. Furthermore, we call on school district personnel to work together to create and implement programs that celebrate diversity and foster an attitude of tolerance. It is the responsibility of every American citizen to defend the ideals that this country embraces, including but certainly not limited to the freedom of religion.
In Solidarity,
August Leppelmeier, Teacher, NYC (MORE Caucus/UFT)
Beth Dimino, Port Jeff Station, NY, President
Lyn Bigelow, Teacher, Sacramento CA (NTA, California Teachers’ Association)
Jia Lee, NYC, MORE Caucus/UFT
Aixa Rodriguez, Bronx Educators United for Justice
Jamaal Bowman, NYC Principal C.A.S.A. Middle School
Francesca Gomes, NYC, MORE Caucus/UFT
Xian Franzinger Barrett, Chicago CORE/CTU
Marla Kilfoyle, Teacher, NYS, Executive Director of The Badass Teachers Association
Michelle Gunderson, Chicago, CORE/CTU
Recent inflammatory statements by a presidential candidate serve only to divide us and to create an atmosphere of fear and prejudice. These statements are reminiscent of our nation’s past injustices, including:
the attacks on German-Americans during WWI
the wave of race riots against African-Americans after WWI
the blacklists of the McCarthy hearings in the 1950s
the barring of Jewish emigres into this country during WWII
the internment of Japanese and Italian Americans during WWII
We call on all public officials and candidates to denounce religious and racial bigotry. Furthermore, we call on school district personnel to work together to create and implement programs that celebrate diversity and foster an attitude of tolerance. It is the responsibility of every American citizen to defend the ideals that this country embraces, including but certainly not limited to the freedom of religion.
In Solidarity,
August Leppelmeier, Teacher, NYC (MORE Caucus/UFT)
Beth Dimino, Port Jeff Station, NY, President
Lyn Bigelow, Teacher, Sacramento CA (NTA, California Teachers’ Association)
Jia Lee, NYC, MORE Caucus/UFT
Aixa Rodriguez, Bronx Educators United for Justice
Jamaal Bowman, NYC Principal C.A.S.A. Middle School
Francesca Gomes, NYC, MORE Caucus/UFT
Xian Franzinger Barrett, Chicago CORE/CTU
Marla Kilfoyle, Teacher, NYS, Executive Director of The Badass Teachers Association
Michelle Gunderson, Chicago, CORE/CTU