<<>> Help Teacher Fired for War Views

[HFishbine]

Elizabeth Ito lives in my city. Her situation is best described in the message below from Micheal Moore. Please note the call to action and take a minute to send an e-mail (don't flame the guy please, try to make a compelling argument).

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In late March 2003, Elizabeth Ito discussed the war in Iraq with her English class at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The war which was supposed to be a cakewalk was running into unexpected challenges and the US military had just announced it would call up another 120,000 troops to fight in Iraq. Ito was in her first year at Forsyth, after five years at a community college in Greensboro, N.C. She had come to Forsyth with excellent recommendations. Ms. Ito began a discussion on the prospects of reinstituting the draft and spoke of her own opposition to the war. The conversation lasted ten minutes. Following class, two of her students complained to the Dean that she had voiced her opinion against the war. Ito was called to the Dean's office and reprimanded. Two months later--despite receiving complimentary evaluations from the school prior to the incident--Elizabeth Ito was informed that Forsyth did not want her to return in the fall. She was fired for a discussion on current news events, a discussion in which she stated her reasons for opposing the war in Iraq.

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If you aren't in Winston-Salem, or can't make it there, you can still help out by writing to Forsyth's President, Gary Green. His mailing address is: Gary Green, President, Forsyth Technical Community College, 2100 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Or, if you'd rather email him, you can send your comments here: [e-mail]

This country, and its government, guarantee the right to Freedom of Speech. Discussions of current events are always important and are especially important in our schools. Ms. Ito's class discussed the issue for only ten minutes but because she voiced an anti-war opinion she has lost her job. Forsyth has taken this action despite giving her positive evaluations at every period up until this "incident." Let's help Elizabeth Ito get her job back.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/takeaction/index.php

[TriadLeftist]

1. Hey

That's my town, too! Just emailed Green -

[7th_Sephiroth]

2. no attempt of transparency at all

you are either with us or you are screwed. thats the message.

[Bandit]

3. I would think they would be in some trouble if they used that as reason

to not re-hire her. I would be willing to bet there were extenuating circumstances. Doesn't pass the smell test.

[HFishbine]

4. Exactly

of course it stinks. Which is why we must write. If they think the world is watching, they won't try to get away with it. So far, they've thought they can stay out of the light. Let them know they are not operating in the shadows.