Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Bergen/Passaic) on Thursday condemned Marlboro School Board Vice President Victoria Dean’s derogatory and insensitive comments about the Muslim faith and called for her resignation.
On February 8, Dean posted on Facebook the comment “Pandora’s box opened” in regards to the New York City school district’s plan to honor two Muslim holidays, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al-Adha, by not scheduling tests, field trips or major school events on those religious holidays. Ms. Dean subsequently “liked” another Facebook comment below that contained inflammatory, racist remarks.
“This is not just any member of the community making an ignorant, inappropriate and unacceptable comment. Ms. Dean is an elected official charged with overseeing the public education of our children.
“Elected officials are expected to represent everyone equally and fairly, and recognize the melting pot that is America. As a member of a minority faith, I know first hand the damage that can be caused by defamatory and racist speech. There is no place for discrimination and intolerance in New Jersey and this nation.
“Ms. Dean should immediately resign her position.”