ADC Michigan News & Views: A Press Conference on Thursday, February 23rd at 3:30 pm at the ADC Michigan office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Crestwood School District: Pervasive Discrimination and Retaliation, A Teacher Speaks Out – Press Conference at ADC Michigan

 

ADC Michigan will conduct a   press conference on Thursday, February 23rdat 3:30 pm at the ADC Michigan office (13530 Michigan Ave. Suite 329, Dearborn, MI 48126) to address the employment discrimination and retaliation complaint of an Arab-American Crestwood teacher who recently filed charges against the entire Crestwood School District.

 

Ms. Hiam Brinjikji,a teacher and high school counselor for the Crestwood District for over 10 years, has and continues to voice concerns regarding the continuous and increased systematic discrimination faced by Arab-American prospective teachers seeking employment with the District.  Approximately 4000 students populate the Crestwood School District, where the majority is Arab or Arab-American.  Given the tremendous influx of Iraqi Refugees and Arab student immigration in recent years, the need for adequate educational resources and Bilingual services has continued to increase.  Ms. Brinjikji has become a voice for these issues and has expressed her concern that the District has not provided ample resources for the students to succeed and become productive members of society.  Her concerns to provide the necessary resources and address the needs of the students have been met with strong inner resistance from the District   Ms. Brinjikji has been  disciplined for voicing  her concerns and  her work conditions ultimately made unbearable.

 

The United States Department of Education and Department of Justice has recently launched investigations against the District to determine if student diversity needs are being met. A Complaint has been filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently to address these issues as well.

 

For more information, please contact Mr. Imad Hamad at the ADC Michigan office at (313) 581-1201 or civil rights lawyer Shereef Akeel at (248)269-9595.