The Stream

#ISupportMarylin trends after US teacher suspended over controversial assignment

Marylin Zuniga instructed her pupils to write ‘get well’ letters to sick inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal.

The suspension of a US school teacher over a controversial assignment for elementary school students sparked waves online. Forest Street Elementary School in Orange, New Jersey, placed Marylin Zuniga on paid leave on Friday after her third graders wrote ‘get well’ notes to inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal. Abu-Jamal, who is serving a life sentence for the killing of a white policeman in 1981, was hospitalised because of diabetes complications. He maintains his innocence, and has a large base of supporters who believe he was framed for the crime. Amnesty International has pointed to “flaws” in his legal proceedings and has called for a new trial for him.

 

The school administrators called Zuniga’s assignment “unauthorised activity” and denied any prior knowledge of it. Parents and police officers were reportedly shocked and angry over the ‘get well’ cards. 

 

Zuniga apologised to parents in her first public appearance on Tuesday. The teacher explained that she had previously discussed Abu-Jamal with her students and they themselves expressed interest in writing the letters. Zuniga’s supporters have been calling for her reinstatement, arguing in favour of the moral value of the assignment: