Fighting For Khalil Gibran

Later this evening, supporters of the Khalil Gibran International Academy will rally on the steps of the Tweed Courthouse to oppose the firing of Dhabah "Debbie" Almontaser, who had been slated to serve as principal of the school until she [resigned amid controversy earlier in the month].

The contoversy surrounding the school came to a head after Almontaser defended the use of the word "intifada" on a t-shirt produced by Arab Women Actrive in the Arts and Media (AWAAM), a group to which the ousted principal has strong ties. Though the word conveys images of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, Almontaser defended the shirt as meaning the literal "shaking off" of oppression.

On the [AWAMM] website you can sign a petition in support of Almontaser and read letters backing her case, including [this one](http://awaam.org/index.php?name=pagetool_news&news_id=5) from a group called the Center for Immigrant Families that goes out of its way to take a shot at Israel.

"It is not the word intifada that promotes violence or that should be denounced; rather, what should be denounced is an occupation that promotes violence and that made the intifada necessary," states the letter.

More [here].

For more New York political coverage visit [City Hall News].