Local Democrats Criticize Pro-Palestinian Walkout During Passover for Violating Civil Rights Act, Risking Federal Funding

After a pro-Palestinian high school walkout was scheduled for Friday during Passover, local Democratic officials wrote a scathing letter to the superintendant urging them to protect Jewish students from an intentionally “hostile and isolating environment.” The Camden County Democrats claimed that allowing such an event could put the school in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which could jeopardize federal funding for Eastern Regional High School. Despite initially being a student-only event, flyers were distributed inviting the whole community to join the rally, and police officers were called in to discuss security measures. After consulting with First Amendment scholars, it was revealed that institutions allowing similar events do indeed risk losing federal funds. The South Jersey officials compared the decisions of elite universities to allow such demonstrations to Eastern Regional High School’s plans, noting “after student leaders met with the school’s principal and vice principals yesterday, ‘those students informed the principal they would not stage the walkout.’” A new rally for peace is now planned instead on May 20. Republican Representative Donald Norcross (D-NJ) said that cancelling the event was “appropriate” due to its timing during Passover and noted that many Jewish community members in New Jersey have ties to Israel, including some students, faculty, and staff at Eastern High School who may be affected by this planned walkout. The school’s superintendent has not yet commented on the matter.