We, stand in solidarity with Principal Abdul Muhammad and other affected principals in demanding justice, accountability, and systemic change within Chicago Public Schools (CPS). We are deeply troubled by the actions taken to remove Principal Muhammad and the violation of principal rights that have occurred. We believe that it is crucial to address these issues to ensure fairness, equity, and integrity within the education system.

Even before Abdul Muhammad was named Principal of Lindblom High School, efforts were made to prevent the Local School Council from selecting him for the position. Kishasa Williams-Ford, Devon LaRosa, and a group of white Lindblom teachers harassed members of the Principal Selection Committee, seeking to influence their decision against Muhammad.

When these attempts failed, a series of appalling acts were perpetrated to create public failures for Muhammad. The rights of the Lindblom Local School Council were disregarded by CPS officials, who overlooked documented instances of theft of school funds by a Lindblom teacher. This teacher and her allies were encouraged to gather and fabricate misinformation about Muhammad.

Moreover, the CPS Law Department played a complicit role by launching biased investigations and engaging in one-sided investigative practices aimed at prejudicing and convicting Mr. Muhammad without credible evidence. It is evident that internal corruption, religious bigotry, and conflicts of interest have targeted and victimized Muhammad.

Principal Muhammad's case is emblematic of a larger issue concerning the violation of principal rights within CPS and the city as a whole. Last year, a group of black male principals united to address inequitable district policies and practices. Shockingly, three of these principals, including Mr. Muhammad, have been unjustly removed this year.

We, the concerned citizens, firmly demand the following actions:

To Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Board of Education:

1. Immediately restore Principal Abdul Muhammad as the principal of Lindblom High School with a four-year contract.
2. Restore Gerald Morrow and Kimberly Gibson, and reassess the cases of all six principals who were removed based on investigations conducted by Kelly Tarrant and the CPS Law Department until a comprehensive, independent investigation of the Law Department and its tactics is completed.
3. Terminate CEO Pedro Martinez for either directing or allowing the witch hunt against Abdul Muhammad and other African American principals conducted by three offices under his supervision.
4. Instruct the new CEO to issue a public apology to Mr. Muhammad, the Lindblom community, and all principals and school communities affected by the witch hunts conducted by the CPS Law Department.
5. Terminate any Lindblom staff members who provided false testimony to the Law Department against Principal Muhammad.
6. Terminate Kelly Tarrant and Libby Massey for utilizing incompetent and unethical one-sided investigative tactics that do not meet the standards for fair investigations or well-reasoned findings.
7. Terminate Devon LaRosa for orchestrating the witch hunt against Abdul Muhammad and for exhibiting incompetent supervision.
8. Terminate Felicia Sanders and Bogdana Chkoumbova for their incompetent supervision and for either directing or allowing officials under their supervision to conduct a witch hunt against Abdul Muhammad and other African American principals.
9. Terminate Kishasa Williams-Ford and investigate the Office of Local School Council Relations' handling of the Lindblom principal selection process, allegations of ballot tampering, and their alleged efforts to restrict the LSC to ALSC status.
10. Reconstitute the Law Department, Office of Network Supports, the Office of the Inspector General, and the Office of Local School Council Relations. Provide restitution to any principals or assistant principals targeted by these offices.
11. Immediately convert the Lindblom ALSC to full LSC status.

To the United States Justice Department's Office of Civil Rights and the Illinois State Board of Education:

1. Investigate Kelly Tarrant, Devon LaRosa, the Office of Network Supports, the Law Department, the Office of Local School Council Relations, and the Inspector General for civil rights violations and violations of due process.
2. Establish a commission to review all questionable removals of Chicago principals since 2010.

To the Illinois General Assembly and Governor J.B. Pritzker:

1. Conduct hearings into the civil rights and due process violations committed by Kelly Tarrant, Devon LaRosa, the Office of Network Supports, the Law Department, the Office of Local School Council Relations, and the Inspector General.
2. Propose and pass legislation to prevent such abuses from recurring.

We call upon all stakeholders to join us in this petition for change. Let us ensure that fairness, equity, and the protection of principal rights are upheld within Chicago Public Schools and beyond. Together, we can create a just and inclusive educational environment for all students and educators.