EAST LANSING, Mich. – In light of a number of recent incidents, including the mailing of a photocopied hate letter to the Islamic Society of Greater Lansing, the City of East Lansing and East Lansing Public School District are joining forces to send a message to the community: all are welcome here.
The East Lansing School Board and East Lansing City Council plan to adopt twin resolutions (PDF) during their respective Monday and Tuesday evening meetings this week.
“The City of East Lansing has a long and storied history of affirming its commitment to acceptance and diversity,” said East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows. “Not only does the City support inclusion through its policies and actions, it also openly decries acts of hate and intolerance. The City Council, along with the School Board, felt it vitally important to make a statement of reaffirmation of those values.”
“We are grateful to live in and serve a community like East Lansing, in which all are welcome. In fact, the School District Mission Statement is ‘Nurturing each child, Educating all students, Building world citizens,’” said East Lansing School Board President Nell Kuhnmuench. “There is great concern about the potentially negative impact recent events may have on all residents and especially on students. We are proud to partner with the East Lansing City Council to send a strong, positive message of unity.”
“We welcome this resolution and are extremely grateful,” said Islamic Center of East Lansing Outreach Coordinator Thasin Sardar. “The City of East Lansing and the East Lansing Public School District have always made us feel part of the community. This reaffirmation provides a sense of security and belonging. We applaud the School Board for showing it cares about our children by sending a strong message that any form of bullying or harassment will not be tolerated.”
The East Lansing School Board’s meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 12 in the Board Room at East Lansing High School (Lower Level), 509 Burcham Drive. The East Lansing City Council will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13 in the Council Chambers (Courtroom 2) of the East Lansing 54B District Court, 101 Linden Street.