"The new law, which takes effect Jan. 1, does not define antisemitism but gives educators the impression that they could be charged with discrimination "if they expose their students to ideas, information, and instructional materials that may be considered critical of the State of Israel and the philosophy of Zionism," according to the complaint. Jenin Younes, national legal director at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, says the lack of guidance has a chilling effect on speech among educators."
""They censor themselves very broadly because they don't know what's going to get them into trouble," she said. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of individual teachers and students in California public schools, and the Los Angeles Educators for Justice in Palestine. In the complaint, middle school science teacher Jonah Olson, says students at his rural, largely Christian school district, often ask him what it means to be Jewish."
Plaintiffs seek to invalidate California legislation that creates an Office of Civil Rights intended to help schools identify and prevent antisemitism. The law does not define antisemitism and allegedly leaves educators uncertain whether teaching criticism of the State of Israel or Zionism could be deemed discriminatory. Legal advocates say the ambiguity chills educators, prompting broad self-censorship. The lawsuit is brought on behalf of individual teachers, students, and the Los Angeles Educators for Justice in Palestine. Plaintiffs include a middle school teacher who fears describing his Judaism as separate from support for Israel could be penalized, and parents who fear restricted classroom perspectives.
Read at The Mercury News
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