Parents and teachers protested outside the New York City Department of Education on Monday, demanding authorities immediately investigate the situation, CBS New York reports. In addition, a Change.org petition calling for the termination of the principal has garnered more than 1,000 signatures.
Minerva Zanca, the principal of Pan American International High School, allegedly targeted several black teachers who recently filed complaints with the Department of Education Office of Equal Opportunity, according to the Queens Tribune.
Two of the teachers, who were fired, say they were victims of harassment and that their poor performance ratings were a result of racial discrimination. Another teacher, who quit, said she also felt targeted because of her race.
In a witness statement, the school’s assistant principal, Anthony Riccardo confirmed their claims. He said Zanca called the teachers “gorillas” and made comments about their “big lips” and “nappy hair,” according to WNYC.
