Controversy over Philadelphia school district teacher’s pro-Palestinian classroom messages

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A Philadelphia school district is facing a difficult decision regarding the fate of a teacher who some parents say was wrongfully suspended.

At the center of the dispute is the emotional topic of the war in Israel.

Some support the teacher, who they say has voiced and allowed students to express support for the Palestinian people. Others say she crossed the line.

It all came to a head Thursday night at a school board meeting in Philadelphia that was interrupted by protests and eventually had to be moved to another room.

Parents caused disruption demanding the reinstatement of Keziah Ridgway, a teacher at Northeast High School.

“Three thousand seven hundred students who are missing a beloved teacher who supports all students,” said Jethro Heiko, a parent in the district and part of the newly formed Philly Parents for Palestine.

Ridgway, a history and anthropology teacher, was suspended from his class seven weeks ago. Parents who support her say that’s because the complaint was filed after Ridgway taught and allowed students to express opinions in support of Palestinian rights.

“We care about this district and what’s teachable,” said Megan McDonald, who also works with Philly Parents for Palestine.

But the lawyer for the group that filed the complaint against the teacher disagrees.

“It is not true to say that she was removed because of what she taught in the classroom. That was not part of the complaint at all,” said Laurie Lowenthal Marcus, legal director of The Deborah Project.

This organization, which was created to protect the rights of Jews who are discriminated against, filed a complaint against Ridgway.

They say they filed the complaint with the School District of Philadelphia after Ridgway posted posts that insinuated violence against certain Jewish parents whose names she allegedly posted on social media.

“An Instagram post that said, ‘It’s not fun when a rabbit has a . . .’ and was referring to a gun,” Marcus said of the post Ridgway allegedly made. They also say she posted asking where she could find a black owned gun store.

Ridgeway’s supporters say she is being threatened. After forming the group Philly Parents for Palestine, they want it reinstated at Northeast High School, which supporters say has a large Palestinian student population.

“It’s not right, she worked hard to get where she is and she has a passion for what she does,” said Ronita Jones, who is Ridgway’s sister.

A group representing Jewish parents who say they feel threatened wants the district to stand firm.

“Asking the school district to implement its own policy,” Marcus said.

The School District of Philadelphia is now tasked with making the decision.

Ridgeway’s supporters tell Action News that she has withdrawn from the class, but is still getting paid as the investigation continues.

There is no timeline for when the county will make a final decision on how to resolve the issue.

Ridgway declined to be interviewed.

Action News reached out to the School District of Philadelphia but did not receive a comment at the time of this story.