(New York, NY – 5/24/2024) Majlis Ash-Shura of New York unequivocally condemns the recent incident at the College of Staten Island (CSI) graduation ceremony, where a member of the CSI Public Safety team, identified as Officer Girard (Badge Number 281), made abhorrent statements endorsing genocide and expressing violent intentions towards peaceful protestors advocating for Palestine, including the chilling statement, “I want to kill all of you.”
Such Islamophobic and hateful rhetoric is completely unacceptable and runs counter to the principles of justice and human rights. Educational institutions must be safe and inclusive spaces for all students, regardless of their background or beliefs. The actions of Officer Girard are a stark violation of these principles and a gross abuse of his position.
While we acknowledge that the College of Staten Island has suspended Officer Girard, this response alone is insufficient. We demand immediate and decisive action to address this egregious behavior. Specifically, we urge the College of Staten Island administration to:
- Terminate Officer Girard’s employment with CSI Public Safety without delay.
- Issue a formal public statement condemning Officer Girard’s remarks and reaffirming the institution’s commitment to inclusivity and respect for all.
- Conduct a thorough review of the environment and oversight within the Public Safety department that allowed such a rogue individual to serve in this capacity.
Majlis Ash-Shura of New York stands in solidarity with the affected students and the broader community. We will continue to advocate for accountability and justice in this matter. Hate speech and bigotry must not go unchallenged, and those who perpetuate such harmful rhetoric must be held accountable.
We urge the community to remain vigilant and to support efforts to ensure that all educational environments are free from discrimination and hate. Together, we can work towards a society where every individual is treated with dignity and respect.