ETHS Teacher Plans To File Federal Complaint After Reprimands: Report

EVANSTON, IL — An Evanston Township High School teacher is planning to submit a federal civil rights complaint against the school after he received two formal reprimands for displaying a "Jewish acts of dissent" poster in his classroom.

At an event on Sunday, ETHS teacher Andrew Ginsberg and other residents said they feel schools in the city have censored their right to advocate for human rights for Palestinian people. During the school year, Ginsberg and community members criticized administrators for sanctioning the teacher.

The poster depicts a menorah displaying the word "dissent" and was referencing anti-war Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel's 1971 essay. The artwork was created by Liora Ostroff in 2024 for the magazine "Jewish Currents."

In an artist statement, Ostroff condemns Israel's actions against Palestinians and stands with anti-war Jewish activists.

According to Ginsberg, when administrators caught wind of the poster in his classroom from upset
parents, he was forced to take it down and received formal disciplinary action. Ginsberg and his supporters are calling for his written warning to be removed and for the district to issue an official and public apology.

"Leadership at this school has capitulated to the small group of people marginalizing and punishing teachers at their request," Ginsberg said at the May 12 meeting. "The school's censorship, and later
punishment, of me contradicts past practice and is in violation of both my First Amendment and Title Seven rights."

Ginsberg, who is Jewish, and his attorney, Rima Kapitan, plan to file a complaint to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claiming they discriminated against him based on his religious identity.

Read more from the Chicago Tribune: Evanston teacher to file discrimination complaint; advocates say appeals for Palestinian human rights are squelched