ADL files civil rights lawsuit against Colorado school district over anti-Semitism allegations
The Anti-Defamation League has initiated a civil rights lawsuit targeting Colorado’s Boulder Valley School District, claiming years of reported anti-Semitic harassment. Allegations include Nazi salutes, mockery of the Holocaust, and even a disturbing game called “Jewish Touch Tag” where Jewish students are chased. Parents and observers have voiced their frustration regarding the school district’s inadequate response to bullying that has led to physical confrontations and criminal charges.
In another incident, administrators at a middle school in New Jersey were taken aback when a photo of Adolf Hitler appeared in the baby photo section of a recently released yearbook. Eastbrook Middle School Principal Ryan Opaly notified parents in a letter dated June 25 that the image was indeed an infant photo of Hitler. Immediately after learning this, the yearbook was pulled back to prevent further circulation of the image.
Located in Paramus, New Jersey, Eastbrook Middle School serves as a local institution for middle school students. The mayor of Paramus, Chris DiPiazza, addressed the community on Facebook, acknowledging the unfortunate incident and emphasizing the borough’s long-standing reputation for welcoming all faiths. He stated that such incidents do not reflect the values of Paramus.
As for the yearbook controversy, local authorities are investigating how the photo ended up in the publication, questioning the review process and accountability. The school district is expected to determine further actions after a thorough analysis of how the inappropriate image was included in the final version.
Principal Opaly expressed his disapproval in a letter, stating, “I cannot accept the existence of this image.” He described its appearance as a severe breach of the school’s values, underscoring the absence of a place for such imagery in student publications. The returned yearbooks may pose challenges since they already featured signatures and personal messages from students and staff, complicating the recall process.
Finally, Opaly thanked the community for their understanding as they work to rectify the situation, reiterating their commitment to uphold the values of respect, inclusion, and dignity for every member of the school community.
