In April, the San Diego Unified School District voted 4-0 to introduce a new anti-bullying campaign which focuses entirely on protecting Muslim students from “Islamophobia.” Six parents are now suing the district for discrimination.
Charles LiMandris, the attorney representing the parents, said the district voted for a “politically correct solution to a problem that does not exist.”
“It’s our position that the anti-bullying policies should protect all students regardless of ethnicity and affiliation, and they shouldn’t be singling out any religious group for special treatment, as they seem to be doing here,” he added.
The Associated Press provides the details of what the district intends to add to all classrooms:
The multiyear plan includes ensuring staff calendars include Muslim holidays, reviewing library materials on Muslim culture, providing resources to teachers and engaging in partnerships with the Council on American Islamic Relations.
The district also plans to consider high school clubs that promote American Muslim culture, create “safe spaces” for students and train staff about Muslim culture. The district is reviewing internal staff calendars to make sure Muslim holidays are recognized.
But parents believe CAIR’s approved lessons seek “to change American society and advance radical Islam,” according to LiMandris.
The attorney also noted how the entire program was based on a very insignificant amount of Muslim students claiming to be bullied in past reports from around district schools.
“If Muslim students are being bullied, stop the bullying,” LiMandris said. “But you don’t need to implement a program that is favoring Muslim students or one religion over another.”
District leaders insist it doesn’t favor one religion over another and have stated, “We welcome all students from all faiths within our school community.”
As EAGnews.org reports, "The parents’ lawsuit alleges the district is violating students’ constitutional rights by favoring one religion over another, but does not seek monetary relief. Instead, LiMandri said parents want the district to ditch its affiliation with CAIR and work with parents to create an anti-bullying campaign that protects all students and isn’t centered on specific religions."




