NYC teachers cautioned about political speech over student Gaza cease-fire protest

ABC ^ | 11/9/23 | ABC

[DallasBiff]

With a walkout on Thursday planned by some students and maybe even staff at some city schools to call for a cease-fire in Gaza, New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks warned teachers about violating Education Department rules on political speech.

Banks sent the email to staff Wednesday, warning that out-of-school activity, "even on one's personal time," can violate city rules if it "disrupts … the school environment."

[DallasBiff]

It's happening on the 85th anniversary of Krystalnacht, the new SS in action.

[NWFree]

When will they have a cease head chopping protest?

That’s what I thought

[frank ballenger]

RE: warning that out-of-school activity, “even on one’s personal time,” can violate city rules.

---

The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution prevents the government from making laws that: regulate an establishment of religion; prohibit the free exercise of religion; abridge the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, the freedom of assembly, or the right to petition the government for redress of grievances. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, as one of the ten amendments that constitute the Bill of Rights.

Teachers: So that freedom of speech thing was a sort of suggestion, right?

Chancellor Banks: We’re watching and listening at all times.
Your Samsung smart TV is even recording your facial expression. Keep smilin.’

[HamiltonJay]

And every single student should be punished or walking out... but of course they won’t.

[BenLurkin]

It is time for separation of school and state.

[Extra-Ordinary Objectives]

Kids get suspended for wearing a MAGA hat, but (a few years ago in Seattle) allowed teachers to sell BLM t-shirts (and wear them to teach in) and the Principal chaperoned their off campus protest March during school day.

[redgolum]

I work for a private employer.

We have regular training on what is considered “acceptable” to state in public. More explicitly on social media and other platforms while in the clear.

For example, we are often told to not participate in protests, marches, or other such things that might harm the name of the company.

So yes, this makes sense. You have freedom of speech, not consequences.

[Sertorius]

Yep.

[roadcat]

No ceasefire by Israel until Hamas releases all the hostages! There should be a call for protest ceasefires in NY until protesters are rounded up and jailed.

[bgill]

And bring the decapitated babies back to life.

[bgill]

Crazy idea but how about teaching the history of Israel, Gaza and Hamas all the way back. Have a monitor for each teacher so there is no propaganda spewed. End the week long unit by showing the students pictures of day 1 with Hamas killing the young people who were out having a nice time minding their own business and the decapitated babies. Anyone not in their seats, disrupting class and not able to pass the test gets a big fat 0 that counts for 50% of their semester grade.

[SauronOfMordor]

Put it this way: you can voice just as much support for Hamas as you will accept others voicing support for MAGA.

[xkaydet65]

I taught 25 years in the city schools and had a good time. Of the 100 or so teachers in my JHS when I started in 86, 65 were Jewish. The leadership of the UFT was Jewish. One of our new union VPs was Randi Weingarten. As I watched the vids today on WCBS TV I thought I must have arrived in an alternate universe. To see NYC teachers at a rally for Hamas, motivating their students to join them is unbelievable, just unbelievable.

[ronnie raygun]

Chancellor David Banks warned teachers about violating Education Department rules on political speech.

Only when this racist scumbag thinks its good to do so