Defending a School from anti-Muslim Hysteria

Press conference and rally of supporters of Khalil Gibran International Academy (KGIA) outside the Department of Education in Manhattan.


On Monday August 21, 2007, supporters of Khalil Gibran International Academy (KGIA) held a rally outside the Department of Education. Many members of the press (including Fox News) squeezed into the tight space allotted by the NYPD for the demonstration. The speeches focused on setting the media and public straight about how KGIA will foster understanding of the Arab language and culture, and how desperately the school is needed to educate ambassadors who can one day overcome the bigotry and ignorance displayed by the backlash against the school and its principal, Debbie Almontaser.