October 30, 2024 — Chicago, IL
American Jewish Committee (AJC) Chicago today welcomed a joint statement from a coalition of leaders representing wards from around Chicago calling on newly appointed Chicago Public School Board President Rev. Mitchell Ikenna Johnson to resign given past antisemitic statements.
“It is deeply troubling – and quite frankly unacceptable – that after a year of dangerous and offensive antisemitic social media posts and statements, Rev. Johnson was appointed as President of the Chicago Public School Board in the first place,” said AJC Chicago Regional Director Sarah van Loon. “As the aldermen stated, ‘his continued role on the school board is non-negotiable, both he and Mayor Johnson must act now to correct this terrible mistake.’ Chicago families, especially Jewish families, clearly cannot have faith that their children will be safe from harassment or discrimination and provided with a safe, nurturing learning environment as long as Rev. Johnson remains in his post.”
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