The principal of The Thomas Jefferson Magnet School of Humanities in Flushing, New York, Dr. Fran Levy, has issued a memo to teachers encouraging them to bring to school religious symbols that represent the Muslim, Kawanza and Jewish religions. (Kawanza, however, is not a religion.) No mention of Christianity was made. Indeed, when a Christmas tree was put up in the school, Dr. Levy ordered it taken down because it was too large; she said it was too big when compared with the menorah and crescent and star.
Catholic League president William Donohue commented as follows:
“Dr. Levy has issued a memo that is mind-boggling. She has set her school up for a lawsuit. It would be hard to find a more classic demonstration of discrimination against Christians in a public school anywhere in the nation.
“The Catholic League will not be appeased if Dr. Levy decides to put back the Christmas tree. The Christmas tree is a secular symbol. If she is going to allow religious symbols such as a menorah and crescent and star, then she must permit the display of a nativity scene. Either that or ban all religious symbols. But we will not tolerate a discriminatory policy and that is why we will use all our resources to correct this injustice.”
