Latest news with #PaulPernerewski
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
DOJ finds no violations of Title II at Waterbury Public Schools
WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — After nearly three years, the Department of Justice concluded its evaluation with 'no findings against the district' at Waterbury Public Schools. This comes after allegations of discrimination against students with disabilities. The evaluation began on June 17, 2022, with reports that Waterbury Public Schools might have violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Trump administration probes Cromwell Public Schools on Title IX 'The conclusion of this evaluation marks an important moment for Waterbury Public Schools,' Mayor Paul Pernerewski said in a written statement. 'The appointment of Dr. Darren Schwartz as Superintendent reflects our commitment to strong, student-centered leadership. While the Department of Justice found no wrongdoing, this process prompted a close examination of our practices and policies, ensuring that we not only meet the standards of the law but also hold ourselves to even higher standards. Our focus remains on providing a safe, inclusive, and equitable education for every student in Waterbury.' In the letter, the DOJ acknowledged Waterbury Public School's cooperation and confirmed the conclusion of its evaluation with 'no findings against the District.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Express Tribune
23-03-2025
- Express Tribune
12-year-old charged with hate crime for attacking Muslim students in Connecticut
Two school Muslim girls attacked by a girl in US in connection of hate crimes. PHOTO: PEXELS Listen to article A 12-year-old student in Waterbury, Connecticut, is facing a hate crime charge after allegedly assaulting two Muslim students at a middle school, authorities have confirmed. The girl, whose identity has not been disclosed due to her age, was issued a juvenile court summons on charges of intimidation based on bigotry and bias in both the first and second degrees. According to a joint statement from the Waterbury State's Attorney's Office, local police, and city officials, the attack was motivated by the victims' religion and ethnicity, meeting the legal threshold for a hate crime. The victims—twin 13-year-old girls—reported being punched, kicked, and having their hijabs forcibly removed in the school's locker room during a gym period. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) says one of the girls suffered facial bruising, while the other sustained an abrasion on her neck after feeling something slide across it. Their father took them to the hospital, where doctors documented bruises and scrapes on their faces, noses, and necks. The incident, which occurred during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, has reignited concerns about rising Islamophobia in the United States. While Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski described the attack as an isolated incident, CAIR contends that the twins had repeatedly faced harassment over their religion and ethnicity. In the weeks leading up to the attack, students had allegedly mocked the girls by using terms such as "Arab," "Muslim," and "Hijab" while making derogatory gestures. Just days before the assault, the same student now charged in the case reportedly made a threatening gesture by dragging her finger across her neck, CAIR said in a letter to city officials. One additional student involved in the locker room attack has been referred to a youth diversionary programme instead of facing formal charges. School and police response Waterbury Public Schools Interim Superintendent Darren Schwartz acknowledged the attack, calling it 'an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring students are safe and respectful of one another.' Authorities say police initially investigated the March 3 incident as a disturbance or assault, but later reclassified it as a hate crime after the family provided further details. Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo stated: "Every student deserves to feel secure and respected in their learning environment, and we will continue to work closely with our school partners to uphold that standard." CAIR has urged officials to take stronger action to prevent religiously motivated violence in schools. Meanwhile, reports of Islamophobia in the US have reached record levels, with CAIR receiving 8,658 complaints of anti-Muslim bias last year—the highest ever recorded.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Yahoo
12-year-old Connecticut girl accused of hate crime on Muslim classmates
A 12-year-old Connecticut girl accused of assaulting two of her Muslim classmates earlier this month has been charged with a hate crime, authorities announced. The pre-teen, who was not identified, is facing counts of first- and second-degree intimidation based on bigotry and bias, according to a joint statement from Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski, Jr., the Waterbury Police Department and the Waterbury Department of Education. A second unidentified student was also referred to a youth diversionary program instead of being arrested. The altercation unfolded on March 3 at Wallace Middle School, police said. It involved four seventh-grade girls ranging from 11 to 13 years old, including twins who regularly wear hijabs, according to the Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. They said the girls were targeted because of their Muslim beliefs, and sustained 'minor injuries' during the scuffle, per the news release. The twins did not require medical attention at the time, authorities noted. Following an investigation, police determined 'the altercation was motivated by religion and/or ethnicity meeting the legal definition of a hate crime.' School officials also labeled it 'an incident of bullying,' according to the news release. 'The students who instigated the incident will be properly disciplined by the school district and face appropriate consequences in the judicial system,' Pernerewski said. He noted the altercation was 'an isolated incident' and not 'part of a widespread problem.' CAIR in a statement took issue with mayor's assessment, but did praise law enforcement for making an arrest in the case. 'We vehemently disagree with Waterbury's assessment that this was an isolated case,' Farhan Memon, chairman of CAIR-CT, told the Connecticut Insider. 'We've heard from other parents of Muslim students that their kids have been harassed because of their religion. This result should send a message that bias-motivated actions will not be tolerated in our schools.' If convicted of a the first-degree felony, the 12-year-old suspect faces up to 10 years in prison. The second-degree charge can come with a sentence of up to five years and a fine of $5,000.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Yahoo
Student, 12, accused of hate crime after school fight where two students ‘had hijabs ripped off'
A middle schooler in Connecticut has been accused of committing a hate crime after a fight with two Muslim students, where they were allegedly beat up. The 12-year-old female student from Wallace Middle School in Waterbury was charged with intimidation based on bigotry and bias in the first- and second-degree on Friday through a court-issued summons to Waterbury Juvenile Court following the incident which took place earlier this month. According to reports, the 12-year-old and another female student got into a fight with twin 13-year-old girls who are from Egypt and regularly wear hijabs to school on March 3. One victim was allegedly 'punched in the face and had bruises on her face and a bloody nose' while the other victim 'had something scraped across her neck' which caused 'contusions and bruising,' the chairperson of the local Council of American–Islamic Relations chapter claimed. "On Monday, March 3, the sisters were beaten and had their hijabs ripped off, a spokesperson for the family said at the time, according to local reports. While the initial incident report claimed no students needed medical attention, the report from the Islamic advocacy group said the injuries were enough to require hospital treatment. 'Investigators determined that the altercation was motivated by religion and/or ethnicity, meeting the legal definition of a hate crime,' the Waterbury State's Attorney Office said in a joint press release. The City of Waterbury Department of Education said it has taken disciplinary action and enhanced school safety measures. The other female student involved in the fight was referred to a youth diversionary program as an alternative to arrest. Leaders in the community and the school praised investigative efforts in a joint press release and contended that the incident was isolated. 'The students who instigated the incident will be properly disciplined by the school district and face appropriate consequences in the judicial system,' Mayor Paul Pernerewski said. 'While this is an isolated incident, I remain committed to working with the Waterbury Police and the Education Department to ensure our students have a safe and welcoming educational experience.' Farhan Memon, the chairperson of the Connecticut chapter of the Council of American–Islamic Relations disputed whether it was ioslated. 'We vehemently disagree with Waterbury's assessment that this was an isolated case. We've heard from other parents of Muslim students that their kids have been harassed because of their religion,' Memon said. Memon told WTNH News8 on March 11 that the two girls were 'scared to go back to school' due to the assault.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Yahoo
12-year-old accused of hate crime after 2 Muslim students attacked at Connecticut school
A 12-year-old Connecticut student who police say assaulted two of her Muslim classmates has been accused of a hate crime in the attack. Four seventh-grade students were involved in an altercation at Wallace Middle School in Waterbury, Connecticut, earlier this month, and two 13-year-old Muslim girls were injured, police said. The injured teens regularly wear hijabs, the Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT) has said. Their relatives called for an investigation into the attack, arguing that the teens may have been targeted because of their religion, police said. Waterbury Police on Friday said in a statement that authorities determined "the altercation was motivated by religion and/or ethnicity." The 12-year-old was charged in juvenile court with intimidation based on bigotry and bias in the first and second degree, authorities said. A second student has been referred to a youth diversionary program rather than being arrested, police said. Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski said the attack, which happened March 3, was an 'isolated incident,' and interim Superintendent of Waterbury Public SchoolsDarren Schwartz said the attack did not represent a bigger issue within the school. 'While this was not part of a widespread problem, this is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to ensure our students are safe and respectful of one another,' he said in a statement. CAIR-CT called the attack 'unacceptable.' 'Schools must be safe spaces for all students, regardless of their religion or ethnicity,' Farhan Memon, chair of CAIR-CT, said in a statement. 'What reportedly happened to these two girls is unacceptable, and the district has a legal and moral obligation to take decisive action to prevent further harm.' Memon has called on the school district to implement mandatory schoolwide anti-bullying training focused on racial and religious discrimination. 'This attack on Muslim students is unacceptable and reflects a broader pattern of bullying and discrimination that must be urgently addressed,' Memon said in a statement. Officials said Friday that the Waterbury Department of Education recognized the attack as bullying, has taken disciplinary action and implemented enhanced school safety measures. This article was originally published on
