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Teachers Union Condemns Banning for School Library of Novels Attacking Anti-semitism

February 17, 1948
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A ban on two novels attacking anti-Semitism imposed by the principal of the De Witt Clinton High School here last week was condemned today by the Teachers Union, C.I.0. The resolution also called on the principal, Dr. John B. Walsh, to rescind his order prohibiting the circulation of “Gentleman’s Agreement” and “Focus” in the school library.

The resolution, adopted by the Union’s executive board, declared that the books were banned on “the flimsiest of pretexts.” Already thousands of teachers can testify that students have read both books and discussed them in class, revealing that they have been moved to consider deeply the social situation that tacitly condemns Jews to a status of inferiority, the resolution said.

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