An Islamic civil rights group said Thursday it wants the Little Falls school district to clarify assurances that district policies prohibiting harassment and religious disparagement will not be violated during a Central Minnesota Tea Party event Monday at Little Falls High School.
The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said it will seek clarification after a district official said a tea party group has “signed off in writing” that a scheduled appearance by Brigitte Gabriel, head of the group ACT! for America, will not violate those policies. CAIR-MN describes Gabriel as having anti-Muslim views.
In response to a question from the Times Editorial Board, Little Falls Superintendent Stephen Jones confirmed that the group and school had entered into the agreement.
On Wednesday, CAIR-MN called on district officials to consider the impact the Monday speech by Gabriel will have on students and to rescind approval of the Central Minnesota Tea Party event in a school.
CAIR-MN Executive Director Lori Saroya said the civil rights group will monitor the event and will consider filing a federal complaint against the school district if the policies are violated.