Teaneck students plan pro-Palestinian walkout for Wednesday

Some Teaneck High School students are planning a walkout on Wednesday afternoon in support of Palestine, a move that has received the tacit approval of the superintendent of schools but has some parents expressing safety concerns.

“It is essential to recognize that our scholars have the First Amendment right to express themselves, even if no board action is taken,” said Andre Spencer, the head of the Teaneck public schools.   “This peaceful demonstration is a student-led event.”

In a widely circulated email, Deborah Blaiberg pointed to a similar student-led rally in Queens that got out of hand.

“As a parent of a Jewish THS student, I need to know what guarantees we have regarding the safety of our students and faculty,” Blaiberg said.  “I would like reassurances that the safety of my son and other Jewish students on campus will not be compromised.”

Spencer said that non-staff adults and community members will not be permitted on campus during the walkout and that they are coordinating safety issues with the local police department.

“As we aim to listen and understand, it is imperative to ask that everyone engages with a listening ear.,” Spencer said.  “Consistent with the district’s intolerance for any type of bigotry, including antisemitism or Islamophobia, the demonstration will be peaceful.”

Teaneck, one of the first communities in New Jersey to voluntarily integrate public schools in the early 1960s, received national attention after hundreds of pro-Israel and pro-Palestine protestors gathered outside the municipal building in October while the Teaneck Township Council voted to denounce Hamas.

A flyer spreading the word of the walkout notes that students will “march, chant and give speeches” on the football field, followed by a march to town hall.

“We want to remind all non-staff adults and community members that they are not permitted on campus during this event.  In Teaneck Public Schools, we value, appreciate, and respect all scholars and staff,” SpConsistent with the district’s intolerance for any type of bigotry, including antisemitism or Islamophobia, the demonstration will be peaceful.”

Jason Shames, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, said it was “unacceptable, intolerable, and disgraceful that a public school is being used as a venue, during school hours, for an overtly antisemitic rally.”

“If a group asked to protest on behalf of the KKK during school hours, or on behalf of an Islamophobic group, it most definitely would not be granted space or access to do so. There would be an outcry for the safety and welfare of the group impacted,” Shames said.  “The Jewish students at Teaneck High School have not felt safe and many have stayed home from school.”