The Quebec government’s decision to remove Fatemeh Anvari from her Grade 3 class sends a strong and deplorable message of bigotry and intolerance—not only to her own school community, but to students and families throughout Quebec.

For those of us who live and work outside of Quebec, it is difficult to fathom that such a racist and discriminatory law as Bill 21 exists in Canada today. Nobody should be forced to choose between practicing in their profession and wearing something of religious and cultural significance—and yet, that is precisely what happened to “Ms. Fatemeh,” as she was affectionately known by her students.

BC’s 47,000 public school teachers stand together in condemning Bill 21 and join a groundswell of Canadians in calling for the federal government to intervene and defeat this xenophobic law.

As BC teachers, we teach our students that diversity is something to be celebrated and honoured, not feared and punished. The federal government must send the same message to the Government of Quebec by taking swift action to equally protect the rights and freedoms of all Canadians, both as defined by the Canadian Charter and by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Educators, parents, and students throughout BC: please join us in speaking out against Bill 21. Sign the petition from the National Council of Canadian Muslims here.