Mercer Times

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Sundeep Iyer, Director of the Division on Civil Rights, have issued a statement as students across New Jersey return to K-12 schools and college campuses. The statement emphasizes the commitment to providing a safe educational environment free from discrimination.

The officials highlighted an increase in bias incidents targeting Arab, Israeli, Jewish, Muslim, and Palestinian community members. They stressed the importance of educational institutions complying with state civil rights laws to address and prevent bias-based harassment.

"The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) protects all students from discrimination or harassment based on actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, and other protected characteristics," they stated. Schools are required to take immediate action against severe or pervasive peer-to-peer harassment that creates an intimidating or hostile environment.

Schools must promptly address bias-based harassment and communicate zero tolerance for such conduct. Other laws like Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act also mandate schools to respond swiftly to bias incidents.

The statement clarified that LAD does not prohibit age-appropriate conversations rooted in accurate information nor limit First Amendment rights. However, it emphasized that the First Amendment does not absolve schools from addressing bias-based harassment creating a hostile environment.

Educational institutions are urged to ensure educators are trained to intervene in biased statements and identify bullying or harassment under LAD or the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights. Schools should set ground rules distinguishing between critiquing ideas versus making statements that stereotype or demean individuals based on protected characteristics.

To assist schools in preventing and responding to bias incidents, resources are available through the Department of Education and Division on Civil Rights (DCR). Training programs for K-12 school administrators, educators, and staff have been launched by DCR.

Students, staff, community members are encouraged to report evidence of discrimination or bias-based harassment immediately via NJCivilRights.gov or by calling 1-833-NJDCR4U.

The Office of the Attorney General will soon launch a campaign aimed at raising public awareness about bias incidents and crimes. This will include outreach efforts on college campuses and direct training programs for educators, students, and parents in affected communities.

DCR enforces LAD protections against discrimination in New Jersey without retaliation for reporting violations or filing complaints.