Press Release

From: Kenzo Kimura, President San Jose JACL

Event: Anti-Patriot Act Coalition

Impact of War on Students of Middle Eastern or Muslim Background
School Programs for Preventing Hate

Date: Monday, March 24, 2003
Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Location: Islamic Speakers Bureau & Islamic Networks Group (ING) Office
Address: 2136 The Alameda, San Jose (Newhall is nearest cross street)
Contact: (408) 296-7312 or mobile: (408) 393-8202
(Mic hookups to sound system will be available)

Press Conference Speakers Include: Muslim & Arab Children; Linda Murray, San Jose USD Superintendent; Paul Perroti, Santa Clara City USD Superintendent; Mark Mershon, FBI Agent In Charge; Chief William Lansdowne, SJPD; Commander Dennis Bacon, Santa Clara County Deputy Sheriff; Aaron Persky, Deputy District Attorney; Delorme McKee-Stovall, County Network for a Hate Free Community, and directors of diverse community and faith-based organizations.

"With tens of thousands of children of Middle Eastern and Muslim background in public & private schools throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, we are deeply concerned about their personal safety & security during the war in Iraq," said Ameena Jandali, ING's co-founder & director. "Typically there is a rise in discrimination, harassment, and hate crimes during times of conflict involving a particular ethnic or religious group. During the Gulf War in 1991, such incidents occurred in schools across the country. "

We call on teachers & school administrators to:
1) Understand & be sensitive to what students of Middle Eastern & Muslim background experience during times of conflict involving the Middle East or Muslim regions.
2) Be sensitive in classroom discussions relating to the war or any other conflict concerning people of the region.
3) Implement a zero tolerance policy for discrimination or hate from any one and in any form, whether student or staff, and provide supportive practices and instructions for implementation of this policy.
4) Acknowledge and deal with personal views on current events which may affect the school's and its staff's academic responsibility to be objective and neutral in education.

Other tips for prevention of hate in schools will be distributed at the Press Conference.

Remember, that these issues not only impact students of Arab and Muslim background, but also Sikh children & other children of color who may be confused with being Arab or Muslim or who may be targeted because it presents an opportunity to those who harbor feelings of hatred to certain groups.