I am a concerned parent/NYC community member who would like to call out the unacceptable conduct of the Community Education Council of District 14 (“CEC14”), a local elected school board.

Since Oct 7th, the CEC14 has engaged in political activism related to the evolving Israel-Hamas war. 

On Oct 24, they published an inflammatory post, accusing Israel of genocide, and only allowed their supporters to comment. Many comments stating that the post was anti-semitic have been removed, and numerous parents have been blocked from the account.

CEC14 has taken it upon themselves to officially endorse a NYC school-wide walkout. Directly from their flyers that have been posted across social media and distributed to NYC schools: “School Communities across New York City unite for a day of action to demand a ceasefire & end to U.S. support for genocide.” In addition to the walk-out, they have organized a teach-in, phone bank, and action toolkit. 

It is important to note that this harmful and antisemitic sentiment coming from CEC14 is not shared across the District 14 community. It is unacceptable for a group who claims to promote community building, safety and positive learning to not only use this divisive rhetoric but to use their DOE platform to spread a blatantly discriminatory and dangerous event. 

Leaving aside the incendiary and inaccurate rhetoric in the CEC14’s Instagram posts, the CEC14, as an elected school board, does not have the authority to take such political stances on social media or in any public setting. This goes beyond their responsibilities as a local school board.

As concerned citizens, community members, and parents, we are demanding that CEC14 be held accountable and board members involved to be removed immediately.