ADC Press Release:

ADC Leads Effort in Addressing Discrimination at Schools

Washington, DC, Aug. 26--At the recommendation of ADC President Mary Rose Oakar, the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division sent a letter addressing the issue of discrimination against Arab, Muslim, Sikh, and South Asian students to all of the states' Departments of Education. During an interagency meeting hosted by Assistant Attorney General R. Alexander Acosta on Aug. 17, Oakar requested that Acosta widely distribute such a letter in order to raise the issue of hate-motivated incidents in schools. She also recommended that such a letter address the school systems' obligations to uphold federal and state laws protecting minority students, and specifically students from theses communities. 

Assistant Attorney General Acosta's letter stated, "Since September 11, 2001, the Civil Rights Division has investigated nearly 600 incidents of violence directed against Arab, Muslim, South-Asian, or Sikh-Americans. Over 140 of these incidents have resulted in local or state criminal prosecutions; nearly 20 have resulted in federal criminal prosecutions as well. We have, in addition, brought suit against a school district for prohibiting a student from wearing her hijab." The letter emphasized that, "such practices are inconsistent with federal law and should not be tolerated." Acosta concluded by stating, "As we approach the third anniversary of September 11, 2001, we must all recognize that our differences provide an invaluable opportunity for further education, and must not lead, rather, to greater separation."

Additionally, ADC is drafting a joint organizational letter, on behalf of the Arab, Muslim, and Sikh American organizations present at the federal interagency meeting, addressing the issue of discrimination at schools. The letter, which will be endorsed by the other organizations, will also be sent to the heads of the 50 states' departments of education in support of Assistant Attorney General Acosta's efforts in addressing this troubling issue. 

Click here to read >> Assistant Attorney General Acosta's letter or see text of letter below.

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Office of the Assistant Attorney General

August 20, 2004

As a new school year begins, I write to raise an issue with you that the Civil Rights Division has taken steps to address. Specifically, we have seen ugly and hateful incidents of violence and discrimination directed against Muslim, Arab, Sikh, and South-Asian students, motivated by religious or national origin intolerance.

Last year, for example, in Louisiana a high school world history teacher allegedly stripped a Muslim student's head scarf, or hiajb, off her head, reportedly remarking: "I didn't know you had hair under there..I hope God punishes you. No, I'm sorry, I hope Allah punishes you." In California, a high-school teacher allegedly grabbed a Sikh student's beard, pulled it, and accused him of being a member of the Taliban. And, in Oklahoma, the local public school district twice suspended a sixth-grade Muslim student for wearing a hijab. Teacher there apparently expressed concern that the hijab would somehow "frighten" other children.

Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush visited the Islamic Center of Washington, D.C., to underscore a simple yet fundamental point: "America counts millions of Muslims amongst our citizens, and Muslims make an incredibly valuable contribution to our country. Muslims are doctors, lawyers, law professors, members of the military, entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, moms, and dads. And they need to be treated with respect. In our anger and emotion, our fellow Americans must treat each other with respect."

No less is true for members of the Arab, South Asian, and Sikh-American communities. Again, in the President' words: "those who feel like they can intimidate our fellow citizens to take out their anger don't represent the best of America, they represent the worst of humankind, and they should be ashamed of that kind of behavior."

Since September 11, 2001, the Civil Rights Division has investigated nearly 600 incidents of violence directed against Arab, Muslim, South Asian or Sikh-Americans. Over 140 of these incidents have resulted in local or state criminal prosecutions; nearly 20 have resulted in federal criminal prosecutions as well. We have, in addition, brought suit against a school district for prohibiting a student from wearing her hijab.

As we approach the third anniversary of September 11, 2001, we must all recognize that our differences provide an invaluable opportunity further education, and must not lead, rather, to greater separation. I thank you for your leadership and assistance in addressing this issue.

Sincerely,

R. Alexander Acosta

Assistant Attorney General