By: Richard L. Smith
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Sundeep Iyer, Director of the Division on Civil Rights, have issued a joint response to the recent rise in incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia in K-12 schools and on college and university campuses across the state.
The surge in bias incidents targeting Jewish and Muslim community members follows the recent terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7 and Israel's military response in Gaza.
These incidents have raised concerns about the safety of students in educational environments.
Attorney General Platkin emphasized the critical need for immediate responses from educational institutions in line with their legal obligations.
The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) ensures the safety of all students by providing protection against discrimination or harassment based on various protected characteristics, including race, national origin, and religion.
Platkin underscored that schools and educators can continue facilitating constructive and accurate dialogue.
However, when bias-based harassment or bullying occurs, it is incumbent on educational institutions to promptly address the issue and make their stance against bias-based conduct clear to the school community.
The Department of Education and the Division on Civil Rights issued guidance for K-12 schools to help educational institutions prevent and respond to bias incidents.
Similarly, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and Division on Civil Rights has provided guidance for colleges and universities.
Students, staff, community members, and others are encouraged to report instances of discrimination or bias-based harassment to the Division on Civil Rights.
Reporting can be done via NJCivilRights.gov or by calling 1.833.NJDCR4U.
Importantly, there are legal protections against retaliation for those who report LAD violations or file discrimination complaints.
The response from New Jersey officials underscores the commitment to ensuring a safe and inclusive educational environment for all students, regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs.