New York, NY, November 7, 2014 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed a federal judge’s ruling to allow students’ case to go forward against the Pine Bush Central School District. The lawsuit raised allegations that several Jewish students suffered egregious anti-Semitic discrimination at the hands of a number of other students and were unable to get school officials to take appropriate action.
Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director, issued the following statement:
We welcome the well-reasoned ruling of Judge Kenneth M. Karas of the Federal District Court in White Plains, denying the school district’s efforts to have the lawsuit dismissed and allowing the students the chance to prove their allegations. We are also pleased that the court affirmed that the plaintiffs will be able to use important tools to address the alleged failure by the school to respond to these egregious acts, particularly Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
We appreciate that the Pine Bush School District accepted our invitation which we extended last year to assist the community, and believe it is reassuring that the school and town have taken steps to address the present-day climate and look forward to continuing to assist them with those efforts.
ADL said the case highlights the importance of its work along with other Jewish organizations in successfully persuading the U.S. Department of Education to make clear that Title VI covers harassment and bullying of Jewish students.
The League has also implemented a series of workshops offering support and guidance to members of the Orange County community, and has expanded its education initiatives within the school district, which have included anti-bias trainings.
The lawsuit was filed in late 2012 by the national public interest law firm Public Justice.
The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry. Follow us on Twitter: @ADL_NY