His name is Ahmed Mohammed. He loves tinkering, building, and inventing things and was a member of his middle school robotics club. He builds his own radios and fixes his own go-kart.
When Ahmed came to school with the clock that he had built out of a circuit board, a pencil case, and a digital display, he was hoping to impress his engineering teacher. Instead, he was taken out of school in handcuffs, interrogated in a room by 5 police officers, and suspended from school.
The police threatened to charge Ahmed with a crime for pursuing his interest in science. We think he ought to get an “A” in engineering instead.
At a time when many schools are trying to improve their math, science, and engineering programs, students like Ahmed should be encouraged, not arrested, terrified, and suspended.
Ahmed has said he’ll never bring one of his inventions to school again. That makes me sad to think about. Kids should never be punished for their curiosity.
There has already been a huge outpouring of support online at the hashtag #IStandWithAhmed. After you sign the petition please share it and tell everyone you know.
If enough of us speak out, we can help spark a national conversation to stop the culture of fear that has led to this nonsense.
For freedom and curiosity,
- Evan, Tiffiniy, Holmes, Jeff, Charlie, Aki, Vasjen, and Jessica
Fight for the Future
- Evan, Tiffiniy, Holmes, Jeff, Charlie, Aki, Vasjen, and Jessica
Fight for the Future
P.S. This is one of those moments where it’s just important that we get everyone talking about this. Will you share Ahmed’s story? Forward this email to everyone you can think of. Click here to share on Facebook. Click here to share on Twitter. Thanks!
SOURCES:
Dallas Morning News: http://www.dallasnews.com/