As concerned parents of a San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) students. The DELAC chair Mrs. Lallia Allali was removed from the DELAC committee and was receiving countlessIslamophobic and xenophobic comments, messages and threats directed to her and her family as a result of false accusations that have been circulating. We, as parents, are disappointed that Mrs. Allali has fallen victim to the Zionist witch hunt, which places targets on the backs of individuals who critique Israel, under the false guise of anti-semitism. The political witch hunts are an attempt to conflate anti-semitism, prejudice against the Jewish people, and anti-zionism, criticism of a political ideology. (For reference, also see: Anti-Zionism Isn’t the Same as Anti-Semitism). 

As an educational institution that prides itself on values of diversity, equity and inclusion, it is more important than ever to understand the nuance of the events unfolding in the Middle East and stand alongside your Muslim, Arab and Palestinian colleagues who are speaking out against the injustices committed against their people at the hand of the Israeli state. Rather than silencing her voice and falling victim to the perpetual dehumanization of Muslims, I hope that you stand alongside Mrs. Allali in speaking truth to power and shedding light on the pain of over 11,000 (and counting) Palestinian children, mothers and fathers murdered over the past three weeks. 

As SDUSD parents, we want Mrs. Allali to reinstate to serve in her role as the DELAC chair. Mrs. Allali has, for years, advocated for Muslim, English learners, refugee and immigrant students and made the school district a safer, healthier space for my children. We support her right to free speech and freedom of expression. As we continue to stand alongside Mrs. Allali and support her, we demand the DELAC Executive Committee to do the same.