Khalil Gibran International Academy Letter






		The Khalil Gibran International Academy in Brooklyn, New York August 27, 2007 Press Release: Group Calls on NY Board of Ed to Change Arab School Name Background: The Gibran National Committee does not own a copyright to the use of Kahlil Gibran’s name, although it does have the copyright to many of his literary works. Unfortunately, this has led to the use of Gibran’s name by institutions that have created controversy and may not be using it appropriately. One example is the Khalil Gibran International Academy, a proposed public school in New York City. How you can help: The Friends of Gibran Council has written a letter to the Gibran National Committee, with copies to the New York City education authorities, asking the GNC to contact the New York City authorities to request that they cease using Gibran’s name for this controversial school. We will continue gathering names for letters to the GNC and to the New York City School authorities. We also encourage you to write your own letters directly, asking that Gibran’s name not be used for this school. For more information, here are recent articles about the school: New York Post Newspaper Intif-Adios to school chief Intifada Principal Resigns NYC Arabic School is short on Arabic Randi Rips Intifada Principal New York Sun Newspaper Following Principal’s Resignation, Calls Increase to Shut School New York Times Head of City’s Arabic School Steps Down Under Pressure Please contact us to add your name to the letters being sent to the Gibran National Committee and the New York City Authorities, or write your own letter to these addresses (postal mail or faxes will have more effect than emails): Honorable Eliot Spitzer Governor of New York Executive Chamber, State Capitol Albany, New York 12224 FAX: 518-474-1513 Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg Mayor of New York City City Hall New York, New York 10007 FAX: 212-788-8123 New York State Board of Regents Room 110 State Education Building Albany, New York 12234 Email: djohnson@mail.nysed.gov FAX: 518-474-5889 Dr. Richard P. Mills New York State Education Commissioner Room 111 State Education Building Albany, New York 12234 Email: rmills@mail.nysed.gov FAX: 518-473-4909 Chancellor Joel Klein Office of the Chancellor 52 Chambers Street Room # 320B4 New York, New York 10007 Email: JKlein@schools.nyc.gov FAX: 212-374-4947 Mr. Garth Harries Chief Executive Office, Office of New Schools 52 Chambers Street Room 405 New York, New York 10007 Email: Gharries@schools.nyc.gov FAX: 212-374-5581