CAIR-NY Condemns Alleged Racist Text Messages by Rochester Teachers, Welcomes Investigation

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(NEW YORK, NY, 6/2/2022)—The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today condemned an alleged series of demeaning and racist text messages exchanged in a group chat by teachers from Enrico Fermi School 17 in Rochester, New York, which has a predominantly Black and Hispanic student population.

SEE:

• Upstate New York teachers placed on leave after students discover 'racist and demeaning' texts

• Teachers in Rochester, New York put on leave after exchanging "racist and demeaning" texts about students

 Students who saw the messages stated that the teachers used profanity-laced, allegedly racist language to mock parents and students—many of whom are Black or Hispanic.  

In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said: 

“Racist language is unacceptable in any context but is more appalling when it comes from teachers, who are supposed to be advocates and role models for their students. We look forward to a thorough investigation by the school district. We also applaud the students who bravely came forward to alert school authorities on this matter.”  

She added that CAIR-NY and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging white supremacy, anti-Jewish hate, anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and all other forms of bigotry.  

CAIR-NY has condemned several other disturbing hate incidents in recent weeks:     

SEE:    

• CAIR-NY Condemns Islamophobic Verbal Assault on Man in Brooklyn 

• CAIR-NY Condemns Racist Taunts by White Students Targeting Black Athletes, Calls on Rockland County to Take Action 

• CAIR, CAIR-NY Condemn Buffalo Mass Shooting by White Supremacist, Urge Accountability for Those Who Promote Bigotry 

• CAIR New-York Welcomes Hate Crime Charges for Anti-Arab Attack 

• CAIR-NY Condemns Violent, Anti-Jewish Assault on a Brooklyn Man, Urges Swift NYPD Response 

CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.    

La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.  

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CONTACT: Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, CAIR-NY, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Legal Director, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com