Monday, August 20, 6pm
Tweed Courthouse
52 Chambers Street
NYC
A COMMUNITY BUILDING EVENT
Monday, August 20, 6pm
Tweed Courthouse
52 Chambers Street
Subways: 4, 5, 6, N, R, W, M, J, 2, 3, A, C
As New Yorkers and others in support of quality public education for all of our communities, we stand in solidarity with the Khalil Gibran International Academy, which has sustained hateful and false attacks by anti-Arab media and extremists. In the post-9/11 world, a school educating our children about Arab history, culture, and language is not only crucial for the next generation to become informed leaders for positive change in our communities; it is also an extraordinary place of hope for peace, understanding, and justice for our embattled world. We regret that Debbie Almontaser was pressured to resign and applaud her work to establish this school and promote intercultural exchange in this diverse global city.
Those who seek to equate the study of Arabic language, culture, and history with religious fanaticism and violence are irresponsibly aggravating a present moment of hysteria against Arab and Muslim communities, and are using this moment to promote hatred in a time of war. We urge our public officials to reject these racist and inaccurate attacks, and continue to work towards building a lasting educational institution that promises to bring our communities together, rather than divide and pit them against each other. We call on all communities who want to see peace on our streets and in our world to stand with us in support of the Khalil Gibran International Academy.
Sponsors Sign on!
Arab Resource and Organizing Center, San Francisco, CA
AWAAM: Arab Women Active in the Arts and Media
Brown Memorial Baptist Church
Center for Immigrant Families
Council on American Islamic Relations – NY
Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition
Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ)
Muslim Consultive Network
WFD Program Steering Committee at First Unitarian Congregational Society of Brooklyn
Organizational Endorsers Sign on!
Adalah-NY: Coalition for Justice in the Middle East
The African American Islamic Institute (AAII)
Brecht Forum
Brooklyn For Peace (formerly Brooklyn Parents for Peace)
Ethical Action Commitee of the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture
Independent Commission on Public Education
Kolot Chayeinu/Voices of Our Lives, Brooklyn
Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Oakland Chapter
Peoples MEDIA Center
Sunset Park Alliance of Neighbors
WESPAC Foundation
Individual Endorsers Sign on!
Katherine Acey, Concerned Brooklyn Resident
Rev. Elizabeth Alexander, Church of the Gethsemane
Reshma Baig & Yahiya Emerick, Islamic Foundation of North America (IFNA)
Aleise Barnett, NYC Public School Teacher
Rev. Dr. Robert L. Brashear, Pastor, West-Park Presbyterian Church; Pres, Interfaith Assembly on Housing & Homelessness
Lisel Burns, Clergy Leader, Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture
Ashaki H. Taha-Cisse, Executive Director, African American Islamic Institute (AAII)
Carolyn Rusti Eisenberg, Brooklyn for Peace
Rabbi Michael Feinberg, Executive Director, Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition
Alice Fisher, Abrahamic Network of NY & Member of Congregation B’nai Jeshuran, NYC
Martha Gallahue, Concerned Parent in Brooklyn
Carol Horwitz, Concerned Brooklyn Resident
Valerie Kameya, Concerned Brooklyn Resident
Youme Landowne, Artist and Educator
Gail Lerner, NYC
Laura Liben, Teaching Artist, NY Public Schools
Dr. Lucinda Mosher, Interreligious Relations Consultant
Saul Nieves, Activist and Union Organizer
Robert Patterson, Theatre Professional and Community Organizer
Steve Quester, UFT Member
Malika Rushdan; Consultant & Artist: Modern Age Art
Rev. Charles H. Straut, Jr., DMin, Member, KGIA Advisory Committee
Eileen B. Weiss, Managing Director, Same Difference Interfaith Alliance
