Ajcongress Oppose Dissemination of Racist Propaganda in New York City Schools

The American Jewish Congress testified yesterday in support of a New York City Board of Education resolution banning the dissemination of racist propaganda in public schools. Herman Brown, director of the AJCongress’ Metropolitan Council, said that while his organization holds that such material, “however detestable” is generally protected by constitutional guarantees of free speech, “special considerations apply within school buildings.” Mr. Brown appeared at hearings on the board’s proposed resolution “on the rights and responsibilities of senior high school students.” He said that “the relative immaturity of students and the necessity of maintaining an atmosphere conducive to learning,” as well as the fact that students “are a captive audience who cannot leave and go home,” make it mandatory for school authorities to limit the right of students and teachers to disseminate bigotry.