Francisco Middle School Investigates Alleged Assault on Muslim Student The San Francisco Unified School District is facing calls for a thorough investigation after a student at Francisco Middle School made allegations of physical and verbal assault. According to the victim’s mother, her daughter was struck in the back of the head, resulting in a concussion, while walking home from school. The assailants also targeted her chest and ribs with strikes and allegedly made derogatory remarks about Muslims. The mother promptly informed the school of the incident, and a meeting was held five days later. During the meeting, the victim identified the attackers after looking through a yearbook. However, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reports that no visible corrective action has been taken by the school administration, leaving the victim fearful of returning to school. CAIR-SFBA, along with concerned parents, is urging Francisco Middle School to conduct a thorough investigation and take necessary safety measures to protect the victim and other Muslim students from further harm. Jeffrey Wang, a senior civil rights attorney with CAIR, expressed deep concern over the lack of action and assurance from the school administration. In response to the allegations, the San Francisco Unified School District stated that they are actively investigating the claims. However, it was only after CAIR-SFBA sent a letter of complaint to the district three weeks after the attack that the investigation began. These allegations come at a time when reports of Islamophobia and antisemitism on campuses are widespread. The University of California recently announced a $7 million pledge to address Islamophobic and antisemitic hate crimes on campuses, which includes mental health care for students and staff. A survey conducted by the California branch of CAIR revealed that 40% of Muslim students in the state’s public schools have experienced some form of bullying in the past decade. It is vital that schools create a safe and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their religious or cultural backgrounds. The alleged assault highlights the urgent need for schools to address incidents of discrimination and prejudice and take appropriate measures to ensure the well-being and safety of every student.