The Iraqi Human Rights Network (IHRN) participates in anti-bullying and harassment meeting held

By: Duifaf Waely

Thursday April 14, 2011

Under the title “Reducing Ethnic and Religious Harassment and Bullying in Schools” BRIDGES held a special meeting at the Lebanese American Heritage Club in Dearborn on Thursday April 14, 2011. The IHRN participated along with special guest speakers included Ms. Anurima Bhargaya, Section Chief of the Educational Opportunities Section and Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice and Ms. Catherine Criswell, director of United States Department of Education Office of Civil Rights in Cleveland. The meeting also included U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, representatives from the Dearborn Police Department, U.S. Senator Carl Levin’s Office, Congressman John Conyer’s Office, Congressman John Dingell’s Office, Congressman Hansen Clarke’s Office, as well as community leaders, parents, members and educators. During the meeting, important issues of interest and concern were discussed such as the FBI informant issues, CBP port of entry issues, discrimination, and many parents shared personal stories of their children’s experiences with bullying in different schools due to their ethnicity and/or religion. The meeting discussed possible ways to address these growing challenges and ways to avoid and resolve these difficult situations.