Editor’s note: The Jewish Defense League sent this e-mail to Dr. Sandra Serrano, the college president, on Feb. 10. The organization gave permission to The Rip to reprint it.
The Jewish Defense League has been contacted regarding religious harassment on campus as exhibited by a member of the Bakersfield College Student Senate. Environmental Senator Isaiah Perez has taken a Star of David, the religious symbol of the Jewish people, and deliberately crossed it out and worn it around his neck. According to our source, Perez has not been condemned, criticized or punished by the college for this blatant act of religious hatred. Whether or not Perez is anti-Israel is not an issue here, although we are certainly aware of his anti-Israel activities and his tolerance toward Arab/Muslim violence against Jews. Showing religious intolerance certainly is the issue we are most concerned about at this time.
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We have also been informed that a campus student organization called the Democratic Club stands firmly behind Perez’s actions. This is also unacceptable to us.
We firmly believe that you have an urgent responsibility to stop this behavior once and for all. This is not a free speech issue. This is an incitement to violence against the Jewish students on campus and the Jewish community in general.
We will not stand for the college’s tacit approval of Perez’s actions. Members of the Jewish Defense League are prepared to come to the campus to bring his intolerable behavior to the forefront of the community. If we are forced to handle this problem ourselves, we will bring the media with us. I, however, would much rather solve the problem before resorting to a physical presence on campus by the JDL.
I respectfully ask that you not only immediately officially reprimand Perez for this psychic assault and his anti-Jewish incitement on the Bakersfield College campus but also ensure that such behavior is never again allowed on campus. You also need to revoke the charter of the Democratic Club for its defense of Perez’s actions.
I need to hear from you immediately because plans are now under way to travel to your college to confront this problem face to face.
SHELLEY RUBIN
Assistant Director
Jewish Defense League