Lawmakers and civil rights activists are calling on education officials to keep schools free from racial harassment after an alleged hate crime at a Queens high school.They say that last month's incident where the classmate of a 15-year-old Sikh student was forced to have his hair cut against his religious belief is just the tip of the iceberg.
The advocates claim the Department of Education has done little to curb what they say is a widespread culture of intimidation against students of Asian descent in schools all over the city.
"Why haven't they implemented the Dignity for All Students Act that was passed by the city council years ago? Why are they turning a blind eye to the problem of harassment in our schools,” said Councilmember John Liu.
"In Queens, of the people we surveyed, over 70 percent of the Sikh are teased or harassed based on their religion. That is not acceptable. That is not what New York is all about,” said Amardeep Singh of the Sikh Coalition.
In a statement, the DOE says school leaders have worked to create a safe, nurturing environment at Newton High School, the scene of the incident.
In general they say discrimination, harassment and bullying isn't tolerated in schools.
