UPDATE 9/22: Lawyer threatens lawsuit, citing violation of 1st Amendment rights
The release of a controversial video that appears to show some Wellesley Middle School boys taking part in Muslim prayer during a social studies field trip in May had TV news vans swarming to the school Thursday night — and they hit the jackpot since it was smack in the middle of the school’s parent open house. Parents should be warned that you might want to talk to your kids ASAP if you have any thoughts about them talking or not talking to the reporters on this.
(Wellesley Middle School Principal Joshua Frank wrote a letter to parents Friday saying the “presence of media was a bit of a distraction” to some students but that teachers attempted to keep the kids focused. Though students were also offered the chance to yap about the issue in social studies classes. It was a stressful day for teachers and administrators by all accounts.)
WBZ hit up parents outside the school, finding two who seemed unfazed by the ordeal. The reporter also said that the parent who shot the video while chaperoning has chosen to stay anonymous to avoid potential backlash in the community.
WCVB reported this morning that fliers regarding the issue where stuck on people’s cars during the open house. A student interviewed said the trip was interesting.
WHDH also jumped on the story, noting that the episode ended with Wong’s apology (somehow, we think it probably hasn’t ended…)
NECN, in a video shown below, advanced the story by reporting that the parent who shot the video while chaperoning the trip is considering a lawsuit against the Wellesley school district. NECN also interviewed a spokesman for the mosque who said tour participants are never invited to take part in the prayers, so that it must have been something students did on their own. NECN’s van was back (or still) at the school Friday AM.
Wellesley School Superintendent Bella Wong issued an apology about the incident after release of the video, though the group exposing the video (titled “Wellesley, Massachusetts Public School Students Learn to Pray to Allah”) said that’s not enough.
@ monsire – Islam is not the problem, however many times Faux News tells you so. Fundamentalism and close-mindedness (whether they be supporters of Islam or any other religion or culture) are the problem here. Check the mirror when you’re calling out cultures (or political agenda-driving anonomous commentors) who brainwash little kids, eh? Using stealth, less noticeable means to indoctrinate our people sounds a lot like Faux Newz to me. These young [commenters who regurgitate GOP talking points] are not intelligent enough to understand what the true implications of what is being done to them…indeed.
Its to the point where I can pretty much set my watch by this…
Shame on anyone who is blowing this incident out of proportion. It would be a terrible shame if the Wellesley Public Schools decided to discontinue what I see as a very constructive program of arranging for Middle School students to visit a variety of places of worship. By visiting a variety of “holy places” (mosque, synagogue, church, temple, shrine, whatever), perhaps our our younger, more open-minded citizens will come to the realization that all the world’s religions share some basic principles that that should unite (rather than divide us): peace, love, respect, non-violence, charity. While there’s a valid division (in our country) between church and state— education MUST introduce our children to a broader world beyond the sheltered suburbs… how else will they be able to participate in a world (of myriad races, creeds, colors, cultures, languages, sects, opinions). Only by watching, listening, thinking, connecting, interacting, discussing, accepting differences and finding commonalities— can we maintain humanity.
I agree, Patrick. I’m just curious. Are you from the Wellesley community?
Patrick, you forgot to take into account that the individuals that run the mosque are our enemies. Are now using a stealth, less noticeable means to indoctrinate our people into sharia law. The people that founded this mosque are criminals and to that end would like to turn our country into an Islamic State. For every one of you sick liberals there is a strong American standing in your defense to let you speak of such passivity, weakness and ignorance. These young kids are not intelligent enough to understand what the true implications of what is being done to them. Islam at it’s core seeks to indoctrinate all non-muslim people though any means possible. Who do you think you are to shame other people you weak liberal? You don’t have the right or the will to shame other people. I know what your liberal life consists of, nothing!